SNSUN

I see Sol Bamba died today which is sad - but it got me reading his Wiki page and Warnock once said to him ""Don’t be Beckenbauer. Just kick or head it. When it’s on, pass it, but if it’s not on, just put it up there" - a quote that I wish Russ would say to our defenders.

I'm not going to turn on Russ yet, this is his first time managing in the Premier League and it's a real baptism of fire - but he needs to stop being stubborn and realise quickly when something isn't working. I appreciate he has a philosophy of possession football but sometimes you have to understand that you don't have the quality of players for that. Once we start integrating the new signings (which he has time to do now with the International break) I think we will start to pick up, but we need to stop thinking we can be prime Man City with the way we play. I'm not saying we need to start punting it up the pitch long ball Burnley style, but just be adaptable and understand when, or when not, to spray it across your own back line. There's a ton of pace in the Premier League and against the top 6 we'd be ripped apart. Thankfully we have players that look like they can turn and play it forwards, Fernandes and Dibling are the two prime candidates and I hope we see more of them.

Amazing from Bournemouth. Everton looking like relegation fodder too. Ipswich and Leicester only a point better off. We still have time to get to safety in what is now a 35 game season.

Bella-Kotchap evwn with a dicky ticker would improve this defence today. Stop playing 3 CBs please Russ pleeeeease! Attack is the best form of defence. Just stick Les in front of the defence and go from there.

Time to reset, look at the 3 games, learn from our mistakes and... keep doing them.

This. Even one consolation would give us a bit of confidence going into the International break.

Fucking hell it gets worse.

Now we hope ABK stays...

Game over

He's been ok, there have been worse out there.

Come on Saints ffs It's too early to crack out the nuns

After the last couple of games I'd be tempted to drop THB rather than Stephens. THB is still learning the game at this level. Aribo has also been ok but otherwise that team looks better.

If Armstrong wants to play as a striker he needs to score chances like that. Simple as. Otherwise we will be reliant this season on young Archer, crock Stewart or BBD unless Onuachu stays and comes back into favour. 🤣 This is poor. I don't like 3cbs and I don't like fannying around with the ball in defence.

Jesus christ Adam

Formation rather. Well formation and line up. Nil points, nil goals.

I hope this is the last time we see this line up. It doesn't work

Arse

Jack header needed to be on target there

Kami Doyle scores for Exeter. Ex-Academy prospect we lost to Brighton.

Yep I've previously said he's deserved his chance after his performances last season but he's clearly Championship standard. His speed of thought isn't quick enough. He needs to be a squad player with Les, Fernandes, Dibling and even Lallana all waiting in the wings.

Bloody hell lads. Thank f for Ramsdale.

I wouldn't wish ill on anyone, but when Stephens got injured last season we brought THB in and we never looked back. Maybe just a little niggle for Jack where he has to sit out for a week or two, is that too much to ask? Maybe a bit of flu? 😁

Last chance for this team to shine I suspect, maybe having more competition will put a rocket up some arses. LiveScore has the team as:

8 currently, 10 if we stay up, 1 if we lose to Brentford.

1) Signing THB and Downes was important to keep two of our best players of last season (yes I know we had an obligation for THB but I'm still counting him!) 2) BBD, Sugawara and Ramsdale instantly improve the first team. 3) Ugochukwu, Taylor and Cornet instantly strengthen the squad. 4) Lallana and Fraser bring experience and strengthen the squad further. 5) Fernandes, Archer and Edwards bring youth, possibility and hopefully quality. 6) Nathan Wood. 😁 (Ok, he's squad depth, slip him in to number 5.) 7.5/10 window for me pushing and 8. I don't think we've done enough in attack but I think that stems from being unable to shift players like Sulemana, TP and ABK - so far - and we probably needed to ship a few others out too but overall, a good window.