saintant

Pick the best two and the odd one out will have to fight for his place through injury, suspension or dip in form. Can't worry about players feelings as we need strong competition in all areas.

I think Will Still taught him all he knows.

I'm guessing we'll change to 4231. I think Will Still is going to be quite conservative when it comes to introducing new faces so expect to see something along the lines of; Baz Mads THB Stephens Manning Downes Charles Fellows Azaz Fraser Archer I'd rather bring in Scienza, Janders and Jelert but the fact that Still has so far persisted with 3 at the back makes me think he is far more conservative than I expected. So my starting team would be; Baz Mads THB Stephens Jelert Janders Charles Fellows Azaz Scienza Archer

And he set the wall up wrong.

Agree but we all know there is no way Will Still picks all the newbies. Think he'll probably give Fellows a go along with Azaz and Mads who've already played but that'll be it. He'll stick with the nucleus of those that have started games this season and have a strong bench to pick from.

Nobody is pissing themselves.

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Maybe these discussions about 'the coast' could be moved to The Lounge.

Ronnie came to us with the potential to become a regular first choice but so far it hasn't happened. He is still young and hopefully will develop although may not get much first team action this season. To take the extra step he will probably need to toughen up because, at times in our first game, he did get bullied by Keiffer Moore. Also he'll need to improve his ability to compete and win aerial duels but is not tall for a centre back. Currently, among his strengths, seem to be reading the game, passing and bringing the ball out of defence. Maybe another loan would have been the best thing for him unless Will thinks he can work with him and improve his deficiencies.

Aribo is well capable of doing a good job in the Championship and may well have been in the manager's thoughts but for the fact that he made it clear he wanted to move on. Still has repeatedly said he does not want players who do not want to be here. However, if Aribo doesn't find another club I think he should be reintegrated into the squad and considered on merit - if so he would be a valuable asset.

Exactly this - I am amazed he didn't just bin this interview instead of putting it out there for Saints fans to listen to when it is so critical of a player we have just signed. Blackmore should know better.

That's how it came across to me.

No five at the back thanks - horrible formation.

This German guy hardly had a good word to say about him 🙂

Presumably you have a better idea of the true figures and will share the details with us in short order.

Isn't he banned from St Marys? If not he should be.

We're better than Plymouth and Exeter 🙂

They've sign an aging goalkeeper on a free in Begovic, Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey on season long loans (not exactly inspiring) plus Julian Carranza on a season long loan with option to buy. He scored goals in America but not many elsewhere. All pretty uninspiring to me but we'll see.

I disagree and think Will Still is likely to want two centre backs on the bench. As to who starts in a back four your picks of Stephens and THB are probably right. Along with others I prefer THB in a centre back partnership of two and think he feels more comfortable with it too as it means his role is clear. Stephens still worries me as he never seems aware of danger lurking around him and is reactive (usually too late) rather than proactive. He's captain so will continue to start but, if he doesn't sharpen up, I hope Will has the nous to drop him.

Agree, not a fan of a centre back taking long throw-ins deep in opposition territory unless it's late in the game and we are losing.

Regards Dibling I think what we lost when he left was potential because let's be honest he did very little apart from the odd spark early season. So we didn't lose a player who was scoring for fun and providing assists. I think Fellows and Scienza will be upgrades although Tyler, of course, may eventually fulfil his potential.

He looks superb in the clips. There is one where he is tight to the right touchline, he flicks the ball over his opponent, cuts past another player then threads a sublime pass though to a team mate near the edge of the box and, from absolutely nothing, a goal is scored.

I'm expecting the goals to be shared around and we won't be reliant on Archer. I think Will Still is going to be asking Fellows, Scienza and Azaz to all look to be regular goal scorers not just providers. All 3 look to have the tools to be able to take on opponents, get in the box or within shooting range and should give us a fair bit of extra fire power.

I think he's considered a valuable squad member and will probably get plenty of games.

Yes and the club shop can finally sell some of those letter Z's that have been clogging up the stockroom.