The Kraken

When Joe Aribo actually gets some forward momentum going he looks like a decent player.

Need to get Edozie on the ball more, looking decent.

Good save big Willy!

Nah, poor wall, fella on the end broke.

He’s a strange one, it seems like he’s on the back foot whenever he gets the ball. I don’t think he’s lazy but he looks like he just lollops around the pitch a lot of the time. great free kick from the Frenchman.

A bit daft from Mara but in fairness I thought he barely touched him, keeper made a meal of it. All a bit scrappy at times.

And as I say that ABK goes down and looks like he’s fucked.

Not a bad first five minutes.

Looks like all the players kids are mascots.

We needed another Ings or a Pelle, we seem to be focussing on another Djenepo.

Missed it, what did he say?

Yeah true. He’s our best option there and maybe needs games to get his peak fitness back, but it does seem a bit of a risk.

It’s an alright lineup. Glad big Willy is getting some time and Bazunu comes out of the spotlight. Would prefer Alcatraz to Aribo. Good bit of rest for JWP, that front 3 looks to be where we might be headed in the league.

Got to wonder why Rennes are happy to get rid of him at the price being touted. They bought him for 20m euros as a 19 year old, one might think they’d be looking to keep hold or make a decent chunk of profit.

Getting rid of JWP for a big fee might be problematic. He’s got a long stretch on his contract, so the club are ok in that regard. And surely he’ll have a few potential suitors from the PL. The issue comes with how high the transfer fee can realistically go. He’ll turn 29 next season, not sure how many clubs will be willing to shell out an enormous transfer fee. Top 6 could afford it but don’t know if they’d want him at the price being touted. The club may have to take a hit on the fee to get his wages off the books. Can’t see JWP being content to spend any time in the championship personally, unless he does an MLT and decides he doesn’t want to move from the south coast.

There was a release clause, it was reported on before Xmas. Tella just didn’t want to come back, and who can blame him. Not sure what Tella would add. When he burst onto the scene he looked raw but bags of promise. Towards the end of his stay here Ralph started using him through the middle, and he just didn’t look at all cut out for it. He played central up front in pre season and looked poor. Whether he’d have developed if he’d been given the Adam Armstrong role, who knows, but it’s spilt milk under the bridge, he’s not coming back this window.

At least he makes the Saints Cheese XI. Peter Stilton James Brie - Monterey Jack Stephens - Jose Fonte Babybel - Olly Creamy Lancashire Edam Lallana - Carlton Parmesan - Wensleydale Stephens - Dairylea Holmes Ricotta Lambert - Gorgonzola Watson Yeah, I ran out of steam at the mid point. Suggestions for improvements will always be considered. Cheese. Sorry, cheers.

Harking back to an era where players crippled themselves by over playing and taking cortisone injections to play through injury doesn’t sounds like a positive step forward to me.

No problem for aiming in that corner. The problem was that che got it scuffed under his feet when running through, then panicked and absolutely scuffed his shot. A premier league striker would’ve taken it on further and beaten the keeper. Che panicked and just hit it. He is a terrible finisher.

Fine. I agree the law is, as you said, bullshit. The ref got the decision right though. Same for the Newcastle VAR decision, not enough evidence to chalk it off.

Excellent decision from Nathy J, after DCC’s red card we’re right back in the mix for a CB. Welcome back Janny B.

It’s the actual laws of the game. Moan about the laws if you want to, the ref make the right call.

Mara showed promise, Alcatraz looks good, KWP good as usual, Orsic poor, Djenepo rubbish, JWP standard, Diallo standard (not good enough), DCC reckless, Lyanco just unhinged, Sali Cinnamon good first half especially. 0-1 probably about right. We’re just not good enough.

Agreed 100%

It’s not bullshit, it’s different rules for strikers and defenders. If it hits the strikers arm at all, no matter whatever else, it’s handball. It’s not a conspiracy Ffs.