VectisSaint

It wasn't, it was Manning who cocked up.

Sad news, was great for us both as player and manager.

Its no good concentrating on the play-offs. What we have to do now is concentrate on consistently getting results. The way we are playing at the moment we will probably get to the playoffs and lose in the semi final. You need to go into the playoffs on a good run of form, expecting to win every game. If we go on a good run between now and the end of the regular season (and bear in mind that would required getting some sort of result against Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds, all away), who knows what might happen, we might get back to 2nd.

Is that what you young 'uns call it these days. That was awful again (I actually managed to miss the 1st goal trying to get a stream going). So now we know, we really are a one-man team. How will then pan out next season in the Championship when he has gone back to West Ham? At least we probably won't have Sulemana. End of Jack Stephens unbeaten run this season, actually thought he did some good things attacking-wise, but none of it came to anything while we pissed around in the area trying to get the perfect pass/shot on goal. Commentators missed Fraser getting injured after the ref had blown for a foul, thought he had just felt something, could be a big miss. So, play-offs it is (confident we can still make them, but not confident about beating Ipswich or Hull. Could be embarrassing against Scousers on Wednesday

Probably because he reads it on here. There would be much gnashing of teeth by some here if Charles had been picked. Need to face it that with Downes out no one is satisfied. To be fair Charles still makes a lot of mistakes, down to, in my opinion, a big loss of confidence early in the season, he will one day be a very good player but does need an extended run in the team in his proper position (CM).

Bollocks

Just to say that at no point in my post did I compare Ryan Manning with any of the players listed. Try reading it again. I was merely bemoaning the fact that we have a rich history of good players in that particular position, and it is sad that we have ended up where we are with such a dearth of talent in this particular position. That said, many of our good left backs did play in the Championship (or equivalent), some even lower (Bale) and some of the best ones who didn't played in their teens in the Premier League, I don't think Shaw or Bale or Bridge suffered too much from playing in their teens as someone else suggested, they seem to have done alright for themselves all things considered. I'm pretty sure Meghoma would not disgrace himself playing in the Championship, he certainly would be a step up on Manning.

What, you mean like Manning But not as often.

On top of this he takes the corners on the right and is therefore always nowhere to be seen when the opposition inevitably break away on their right (due to overhit cross). We do have cover, Meghoma has shown on 3 occasions that he is perfectly capable, and also that he is a better defender. Bree and Stephens have also shown that they can more than cover for his absence. We also have Perraud on loan who was perfectly fine in the PL last season, you could even argue (at a push) that we have Vokins who seems to be doing an "adequate" job in the u21s but has shown nothing else for a few seasons but who does have experience on his side (i.e. he is not a kid). None of which is very inspiring, granted, but we do have options. Considering our history in this position, it is shameful that we are lacking in this area nowadays (Bridge, Shaw, Bale, Peach, Kenna, Bertrand, Benali, McQueen (not Danny Fox)).

Note that they said nothing about his defending.

The same was said after the Huddersfield game, someone even said that's how all teams will play us now, or words to that effect. For some reason the Throstles didn't learn.

Shockingly bad first half performance (though some credit to Hull). Unable to pass the ball. Better 2nd half but we never looked like scoring (although we did). We really can't play when teams come and attack us or play us at our own game. I don't believe you can put everything down to Downes missing, we are not a one-man team, God help us if we are. Rothwell was shocking tonight, just like Charles was against Huddersfield. No energy, unable to make simple passes, putting ourselves in danger at the back without being convincing that we could get out. Bazunu seemingly had his boots on the wrong feet in the first half, his passing is usually spot on, but tonight. I think we loaned out the wrong player in January, we should have kept hold of Charley and let Sulemana go, he is bringing nothing to our game, except misplaced expectancy. Very disheartened. I don't fancy our chances in the play-offs.

Goodness me, this is awful. Our passing is shit, our playing out from the back is shit, no energy. Awful. We'll be lucky to get in 2 down.

Oliver Glasner appointed

Presumably Wilcox also has a 'notice period' in his Saints contract. After all he has to serve notice (6 months) before joining us. Might put United off if he can't join up (officially) for 6-12 months. I would have thought if there was much/anything in it that Saints would have put Wilcox on GL as well, they haven't which makes me think he is not going.

You mean like Huddersfield and Brizzle, not sure that's what we need again.

Just a thought but Stephens has not been on the pitch in any game that we have lost this season. Just saying.

When did the PL2 change to 7-a-side (see your post for last game as well). Sort it out 😉

He was academy Director at Man City, he joined us as Director of Football Operations. Quite clearly that is a step up Man City or not. I'm still not sure he would want to be back down the hierarchy at Man U, effectively reporting to Ashworth?

It was discussed during Martin's presser earlier, so it is well known.

I have serious doubts that Brooks will be OK for tomorrow anyway. He was clearly badly hurt when he collided with the post, took a long time to recover and hobbled around for a while before he was subbed off. I winced when he slammed into the post, for a few moments (and on the replays) looked like a really serious injury. Hopefully just badly bruised.

I see that Derrick Abu was initiated into the 9-goal defeat club last night when Harrogate were demolished 9-2 by Mansfield. Hauled off after 53 minutes, with Mansfield already 6-0 up. Bit of a shock for the lad after the 1-0 win on his debut. Kazeem Olaigbe managed to avoid the ignominy, not in the squad.

He was clearly injured when he clattered into the post, it wasn't odd at all. Wouldn't be surprised if he is out next game, lucky boy not to have suffered some serious damage.

Passing has been a shambles all night, by most players. That pass from Kamaldeen then was just awful.

Read earlier that we are looking to sign Matias Soule from Juve, and this may be linked to the Alcaraz loan, and therefore a way that Jive could afford it. Have never heard of Soule so no idea what to make of it, but apparently we tried to sign him but he was unwilling to leave his loan club (Frosinone) mid season. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/juventus-set-matias-soule-asking-price-amid-southampton-interest/ Haven't seen this mentioned here yet it was 3 days ago it was posted (Declan Harte?). Sounds a bit far fetched to me.