SNSUN

I went to school at Bearwood (many moons ago) so I'm very familiar with the area but I haven't been back since the new Reading training ground went in although I might see it if I move over that way (as I probably intend to at some point). Glad to hear they're doing well now even with the ownership situation hanging over their heads. While I'm a Berkshire boy born and bred I have no real strong feelings about Reading FC but they were the first opponents I saw when I went to my first Saints game (Elm Park, '96, FA Cup 3rd round), a few friends of mine support them and I went to school with their former owner so I am hoping they keep their heads above water.

Rotherham could still get 33 points ya know! 🙂

Nope - and while those results may be blips compared to our recent 'capitulation', it shows that going forwards with Downes back, Bree back and soon (hopefully) KWP back (as well as Fraser for the last few games), that anything can happen, especially as we have to play all 3 ahead of us. Keep the pace, Keep the faith. (TM SNSUN)

I like him too, perhaps not as much as I liked Ralph, but he seems honest. Was he the right choice for us this season? Well I think he has had a few hurdles to climb, players leaving, building a team, changing the style - all whilst under pressure to get us promoted back at the first attempt. You could argue that someone like Daniel Farke is a proven Championship promotion manager (who has gotten lucky with a squad rich with attacking options) but Maresca was a risk for Leicester too (albeit with probably the best squad in the league) and McKenna isn't proven at this level either. The two patches of bad form this season don't fill me with confidence, but I do think if we don't go up that we should stick by him for next season. The issue will be bringing in the players that can perform as well as the ones we will be likely to lose this summer - which will be a big ask.

Funny if we caught Leicester as we sailed past them into 3rd. I apologise to Ipswich fans for thinking their team would drop away. They're making a real go of it.

If we played old school 442 then Manning might do a Marsden style job in the left of midfield. But we don't and he can't defend. Bree left back is absolutely the answer.

Delighted with that. Stuck a sneaky tenner on when we were up 3-2 that Brum would draw or win the game and nearly had the £100 odd profit but that win is priceless for morale, a learning experience and more importantly keeping ourselves in the promotion hunt. With Downes back and KWP not far away we are mostly back to full strength again so we really need to start winning games regularly again and we could surprise the top 2.

Get the fuck in!

Draw not good enough here. Need a miracle goal from somewhere.

Now learn how to defend Saints and do it fast!

Have we just forgotten how to do things the easy way?

Now ramp it up and get another Saints!

Looks around the forum... one of you is thinking of starting a Next Manager thread... To be fair if we lose this it'd be borderline unacceptable. Especially after Leeds only drew.

Must win. Keep the pace, keep the faith.

In reflection, I don’t think we were that bad last night, particularly in the first half, and the score flattered them a bit. If Sulemana and Mara could finish, we’d have won. If. The line up was wrong if we had half a mind of progressing against a young Liverpool side but Russ wasn’t to know we’d spurn a hat full of good chances. That Shea Charles miss at the back post when he had a year to think about it was poor. I know that’s not his job but still. Stephens, Edozie and Aribo had decent games IMO. I’ve seen Manning play worse too. In the end it was a cup we most likely weren’t going to win in a season where promotion is the main aim. Plus we didn’t spoil Klopp’s leaving party, or spoil the United vs Liverpool tie in the next round so the TV companies and media will be delighted. 🙄

Well while the commentators are busy wanking over a 16 year old kid, I’m off.

Walker Peters injured! That’s all we need. Night over, goodnight.

Edozie been ok but his decision making needs to improve. Rothwell barely ok. Che and Will good subs but is it too late...

Jesus Christ Charles! How many more chances are we going to miss

Well if he’s a 1 in 5 Striker, and he’s missed 4 chances, it makes sense to keep him on as his next chance will be a goal. Maths. 🤪

KWP and AA on. About time we got some height on the pitch. 😀

I like this Aribo, been good

Ok we need some subs here.

Needed to take our chances. Still we have a chance. Been decent for the most part.

Deflected. Not Lumley’s fault but it had to be the kid making his full debut didn’t it. Still another half…