Sheaf Saint

While this is undeniably true, I think it's fair to say that our current points total and league position are somewhat false, given how we were so obviously being grossly mismanaged for the first dozen or so games under Still. Now that we're playing much more closely to our potential, the difference in quality between the two teams is actually much greater than a 2-point gap suggests.

Happy with this, personally. Only a short train ride for me and I didn't get to go there when we were down in L1 with them. Should be a guaranteed win as long as we take it seriously and don't just play the U21s. They're not doing that well in L1 this season. Just 3 places above the relegation zone. They're at home to Stockport tonight so I'll have that on in the background while watching Saints v WBA.

That's an interesting way of saying they took a different musical direction that didn't align with your tastes. They became more experimental and did some outstanding stuff after OK Computer IMO. Just because it was less mainstream than their earlier stuff doesn't mean they 'lost the plot'.

True, but with the world cup coming up next summer there's bound to be loan deals to be done with PL fringe players desperate for game time.

Yeah there was good and bad. Shouldn't have let in Arma's first goal, but did very well to prevent him getting a hat trick later on, and also did very well to come out and close down Archer from his breakaway run near the end.

I just think that some of his flaws - like his lack of physical stature and reaction speed - are so fundamental that no amount of coaching or experience is ever going to improve them. The goal at QPR, and the one that was disallowed last week at Millwall, are perfect examples. Not quick enough of thought or strong enough physically to claim those balls ahead of the attackers. You can't coach those skills.

There were a couple of games during that RM run when we were a joy to watch. The 4-0 demolition of Swansea springs to mind, because we looked like we would score every time we attacked. But yeah, prior to that you would probably have to go back to the days of Koeman. We got some good results under Ralph, but it was never free-flowing football.

It's not just Manning's inability to stop a cross. This moment yesterday sums him up perfectly. https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxr9pOi3mnE29Q0pLsfqGboNvzyeKtU4dk?si=-7kNzcZVeHwcGu1T

I think fans of every team in the world would say the same, but the fact is that we have scored 18 in 6 since Still was sacked and outperformed our xG in every one of those games. I think the defence is a bigger concern TBH. We still look fragile at the back and give up chances too easily, and we've only managed 3 clean sheets all season.

I think it's fair to say that, whether it was his position or just the system as a whole, Still clearly wasn't getting the best out of him earlier in the season. And as such it was probably fair that some were questioning if he would prove to be a good signing. Now we're playing in a way that suits his strengths much better, lo and behold he's doing the business and showing himself to be the player we all hoped we were getting when he signed. It begs the question - what the fuck was WS doing that made some obviously very good players at this level (Azaz, Fellows, Scienza) look so poor and underwhelming?

Made hard work of it but a brilliant win, all things considered. Scienza is becoming as important to us as MLT was in the 90s. At the heart of everything good in attack and the opposition just don't know hoe to deal with him, except foul him. Please stay injury-free! Another goal for Azaz, and another brace for Arma. Could have had more as well with better finishing (but then so could Brum). Fellows did some amazing things today. That run from the edge of our area in the first half, for instance. I would love to see what he could truly offer if he was playing as a traditional winger instead of having to fulfil all the defensive duties on that side as well. I watched Aribo intently when he came on, and in fairness at least he looked a tad more interested than he did last week. But that passage of play leading to his booking - WTF! Had space and options then just stood still and allowed himself to be robbed, then lunged into a wild tackle to try and retrieve it and was lucky to only see yellow. Please Tonda, stop bringing him on. I still have huge concerns about our defence. We've got a LB who cannot for the life of him stop crosses, a CB (and captain) who just ball-watches and constantly leaves attackers unmarked for free headers, and a more than suspect keeper (although I will give credit where it's due today for that foot-save from a deflected shot). On the plus side, THB seems to be finding his form again and has played really well recently. We've got to find a way to stop surrendering all possession and momentum when defending a lead. And I hope TE recognises that and will be working on it on the training ground now that his position has been secured.

WTF Tonda!?

Really good work from Archer there to take the pressure off.

Oh FFS Aribo.

Six minutes? 🫤