macca155

Problem is there is no perfect choice for Saints. The players are absolutely shot to pieces, even the new ones. It isn't as simple as bringing in a football maestro. No matter how genius their tactics are, the players aren't in a place to implement them. Panic sets in as soon as the opposition put together a decent attack. Neither is a sergeant major, old school 4 4 2 type going to solve the problem either. It would bring some resilience, but modern tems easily find a way round traditional tactics. You could reincarnated Cloughie and even he would struggle. Someone like Southgate (I wish) would put a decent rebuilding plan in place. He would have the gravitas to keep players and fans from wobbling. Robins or Carsley would fit, maybe Viera, but whoever gets it they have one hell of a job.

Well yes obviously he's no 1 option, but he looked so unfit and lost on Saturday, I'm not so sure

Personally I wouldn't drop our one gutsy player just because he lost his rag. Wood has been the one shining light in this hideous season. He at least gives a shit and continues to fight. Eleven of him and we stand a chance. Public bollicking and apologies obviously required, but then get him back on the pitch. If a few entitled fans have hurt feelings tough shit suck it up. I'd put Stephens next to him, for the same reason, and take the football hit. Recall Bazunu just for a bit of end of game fun, plus his distribution really makes a difference. Bazunu Mads Wood Stephens Manning Downes Jander Bragg Azaz Armstrong Scienza I've gone for Bragg to shore up the midfield but that could be Edwards. Give Azaz time to set up some attacks. Complete opposite of Still's philosophy but he won't be here anyway. One instruction 'don't be shit'

Be under no illusions Preston deserved that. If anything they let us off the hook a little. The players were all at sea, no coherent structure or dynamic play. I don't blame Wood for reacting like that. He's the one player who has put a shift in. Players are human beings. Horrible defensive set up. when Edwards went off there was absolutely no difference, the defence coped fine. Fellows and Robinson caused all sorts of trouble and for a short while the momentum was with Saints. Suddenly another set of substitutions which pushed Fellows back, and left Robinson marooned in midfield. Madness, no midfield and 5 forwards waiting for the ball. No way was that Championship level management. Aribo is unfit and certainly not the saviour. Changes are required.

Sent off last week

Midfield looks good but urgh back 5 again. Let's hope it translates to 3 at the back.

Oyekunle and Bragg missing from the U21s today so expect them to be on the bench. However Edwards is the obvious player to move into a defensive midfield position, if we are short. He's played there before.

Put Gav up front Saturday, what a header

Oh that was a nice move, players not afraid to show a bit of skill. Shame Robinson's touch at the end let him down. Bazunu's distribution is very good, tend to forget that with his flapping about

Agreed and right there is the issue. Without Ross Stewart we have no outlet, Downs was never a capable backup. Absolutely scandalous they didn't buy in a back up unit to support Ross. Loads of them around, big, fast, and bloody nuisance to defend against. Gives the skill players room to play. Armstrong is all we have to play there, no other option with Archer out of form. It's a waste of Adam's skills as he is a real defence botherer away from that position.

Have to start from where your strengths lie, from those available. Scienza is the main threat. Armstrong scores in this league, he's all we have. Fellows has been effective Azaz creates chances Jander battles well in midfield. Wood commands the defence Mads has Prem experience Desperately clutching at straws here obviously, as they all have flaws, but you have to start somewhere. McCarthy Mads Wood Quarshie Manning Jander Downes Azaz Fellows Armstrong Scienza Robinson, Matsuki Aribo, and Stephens as identified subs for tiring players in their proper positions. Possibly Edwards for defensive midfield. Above all else manage the game well. Preston are big bullies up front but Wood and Quarshie can handle them, if the midfield cuts off the supply and reacts quicker.

Probably COVID or Flu, they are rampant in the country at the moment. Players are often in close proximity so that's no surprise. Any form of respiratory infection is going to wipe out a pro athlete. It happens but with such a big squad, it should be easily managed. Not anticipating this issue, and getting Aribo/Matsuki on the bench ready to cover is poor management imo.

It's not Jack's fault either. If he had replaced Quarshie for the last 20 mins, that would have been understood. He's played ok in that position, and would have been able to dictate a bit to the other players. As I said before Still probably didn't have anyone else prepared to come.

I cannot even begin to fathom those substitutions. Sure we weren't playing well but 1 0 up is 1 0 up. By tomorrow that would have been an ok performance.... after a whiskey or 3 Blackburn were all at sea, bereft of ideas and the crowd had turned on them. On comes Stewart, ineffective in the last two games for Archer. So an already weakened midfield is under more pressure. Bring on Bragg to support Charles. Then Stephens for Scienza, beggars belief. If Leo was tired, fair enough, replace him with Jay Robinson. How on earth would Jack improve things. Still upset the structure, balance, and morale of the team. It has zero resilience anyway. I think he's lost the dressing room. Players falling for mystery illnesses, strikes me as a convenient excuse, to mask trouble at t'mill. They may be telling Still what they think of him. Good old Jack was probably one of the few who would take the field. We're the hell is Aribo, we need him urgently. I'm really against sacking managers early, it rarely helps (look at our history). However I'm struggling to see how Still can survive that sort of ineptitude.

Now I've got a lot of time for Stephens but that is a horrendous decision. 4 CB and 2 FB against the weakest side in the league. This is Still desperately trying to hang on to a 1 0 win. Not a good look. There's 20 minutes to go for goodness sake.

We've seen this film before .... know how it ends

Frazer, give me strength

This game is terrible, there is an old adage that you can only play what's in front of you, which is true, but don't sink to their level. This is kick and rush pin ball football. A truly dreadful watch

Excellent, and someone other than Armstrong scores. Right now muller them

Game is being played at way too fast a pace. Calm it down and take control.

Most teams are above us in fairness. I am hoping for higher ambitions

If we keep on sacking managers, we'll end up like Watford. I doubt there is a messiah just waiting to be appointed. I can't think of anyone. It would be just another rinse and repeat. He has to be given a chance to turn the corner, if he is capable of it. The next 4 games are an ideal opportunity. Fail that test and there will be a drama.

Not the fans job to manage the team but they know when a player isn't ready. Downs may turn a corner yet, but at the moment he needs to rediscover some form elsewhere. U21s, a loan in January maybe. Once the fans see he can score, they'll probably cut him some slack. Stewart wasn't a figure of fun football wise. His occupation of the medical room was. I wonder what someone like Brian Clough would do right now with our lot.

They did with some gusto. As soon as he started to put a shirt on, chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' rang out., followed by loud boos when he came on. Losing the away fans, who really do have the patience of Saints, is a very bad sign.

Perhaps bypassing or going straight through is a better turn of phrase. My point was that the back 5 and midfield 2, seemed unable to break free of their press. Anyway however it should be phrased, it was shit.