The Kraken

Nate would get fucked up. He’d buzz about and get a few jabs in but eventually Russ would stop fucking about and land a haymaker.

True. Brentford passed quicker and broke at ease. The one time we did it properly, first half, BBD got a pass and drove on and played in AA who could’ve gone down after an ankle tap, it looked genuinely decent. Other times we just retain the ball and let their defenders get back into shape.

You joke but I genuinely have a bit of hope that something like that could happen. We know Lallana isn’t just here for a playing career swansong, he’s got coaching/managerial ambitions. And he’s getting a rep for putting his ideas across. The big hope is that he’s the experienced voice that RM needs to hear against him.

Agreed, but for slightly different reasons. Jones didn’t seem able to put any sort of his own stamp on the team (or at least not in any sort of positive way). The team just looked adrift and often didn’t look like they knew what they were doing. Under Martin, they definitely know what they’re being asked to do, it’s just that what they’re being asked to do is madness: defensive suicide and playing systems/formations that make little sense.

I don’t think anyone has mentioned it before but he reminds me very much of Jack Grealish….

Be interested to see Dibling play centrally as we go onward, see how he does there. The boy glides.

I don’t disagree, it’s not the team I’d have picked. Don’t like 3 at the back, don’t like our strikers being so wide. In terms of players, football is about taking/missing chances when they’re given. Smallbone fluffed his and Fernandes looks likely to have that spot as he took his chance. Armstrong literally missed an open goal, if he actually makes contact with the ball and scores that then no way he gets subbed. But I’d have him out, he’s blinded by the lights again, My issue today was less the personnel and more the system. As I said, 3 at the back is shit. BBD playing left wing is brain dead. I certainly wouldn’t be playing Aribo, Smallbone, Armstrong next time we play but I think we could have started with different players today and still got equally undone as the system he’s playing them in is the most flawed thing of all.

Tbf that’s about the only thing I give him a pass on. He gave his first teamers a last shot, they fucked it up and the two worst culprits got hooked at half time. i hope Dibling doesn’t get rushed. He looks a proper talent but still so young and may do better as an impact sub for quite a few games. I think Fernandes has earnt Smallbone’s slot next game though, and I’d probably start Lallana instead of Aribo, although he’ll do well to play an hour.

Russball vindicated 😎

Nothing like that scenario. Adkins made a horrendous start to the season, lost something like 8 out of the first 10. But he turned it right around and Saints were well out of the relegation scrap by the time he got sacked. We’d have stayed up easily with NA in charge.

Nando looks brilliant.

Sweepstake on timing of the first sub? Im going with 55 minutes.

Nil?

Just fuck off Arma 🤣

Fucking crap

At this point I’m just hoping we can get to 60 minutes at 0-0 and then bring others on. Poor midfield players, poor formation that is giving Brentford CBs no bother at all. One of their defenders was crocked for about 10 minutes before getting hooked and we still offered nothing. This is really shit.

And he’s still hugging the left touchline. Ridiculous.

Both utter shite so far.

Not particularly enjoying this, big hole in front of our defence and midfield when Brentford break. As for up front, their CBs must be loving it, day off so far.

Tbf it drew 4 or 5 players up to the box. Just a bad punt out.

Aribo seems to need a couple of touches to properly get the ball under control.

That’s a terrible header.

BBD hugging the left touchline already.

Ramma already thinking “fuck me im gonna be busy”

Not at all surprised with that line up. I reckon Lallana gets half an hour today, Archer maybe the same. Fernandes likely too. Gives those on the pitch a nod to up their game. More hoping that BBD actually plays as a striker today.