macca155

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

Oh that's terrible, ours died at 4 (in my avatar) desperately sad. We immediately said that's our last dog, not going through that again. 4 months later ........ woof Give yourself time though

Nice one gives the squad players another game. Bit more exposure.

Good post, couple of additional observations. The left hand side remains a bit weird. Totally exposed last week. Yesterday Taylor, who did well, would slot into a back three, with Frazer as left back, whenever Ipswich attacked. RM had no choice with the Aribo sub but Smallbone would have been a better sub for Fernandes. He may have some shortcomings, but he is a disciplined professional footballer. He would have followed instructions and tightened up the midfield to help see out the game. Hope he's fit soon. Diaz was the wrong call. I'd have brought on KWP to support Taylor. Having watched the highlights I'd say we've been a bit harsh on Archer. He was causing them more trouble than I realised. Just need to play the balls through he needs more often. Do we dare hope things will improve.

Some improvement I guess we got a point but the striker situation is desperate. BBD, Archer, Armstrong, and Ross are bog standard Championship strikers. They will never score goals in this league regularly. Maybe Stewart when he is fitter but nobody knows that ATM Dibling, Downes, and Fernandes set up some excellent chances, all wasted. Bringing on BBD was madness. Bring on KWP to support Taylor. I'm not sure Aribo added a great deal either. Point is a point, Saints are still in the game. Just have to keep chipping away. Oh yes and play ABK, KWP, and Onauchu.

My God this is desperate

Wood is not only way off the standard required at the moment but he is also cruising for multiple yellows

There are some positives from tonight so far. Saints scored a goal, a rarity these days THB and Frazer playing well Big Les looking a lot more confident. Now let's take this game to Everton.