saintant

It's a possibility but the inference was that he picks and chooses when to play well which is what I'm questioning.

Good point. Assist for big Quarshie as well wasn't it although don't think it was meant - looked more like a swing and miscue that turned out to be a perfect nick into the path of Charles.

Yes, it is clearly a coincidence. Why on earth and what would Downes gain by picking big games to play well in? It is abject and utter nonsense.

Will Still said in a post match interview that Jander picked up a nasty ankle injury.

Swap Macca for Baz is a no brainer. I'd also Keep last night's 3 centre backs so Edwards instead of Capt Jack. They moved the ball far quicker than Stephens and THB, were better in the air and worked well as a unit. Other than Macca's brain fart our play out from the back looked far more assured and all 3 passed well to their wing backs and dropping midfielders. However, we all know Stephens starts every league game for reasons I can't begin to fathom because he is so slow on the ball and lacks spatial awareness.

Saints overall played very well and there were many positives not least the fact that we looked like a team rather than a bunch of individuals. The 3 centre backs played well especially Wood who deserves to start on Saturday as does Jelert who had an excellent debut at right back. Jander and Downes were strong in midfield although the former picked up a knock. Front 3 of AA, Archer and Scienza were lively - Scienza should have scored just before we gifted Liverpool their first goal. Macca made some good saves and did most things well aside from the customary brain fart of trying to play out from the back when it was not the right option and giving the ball to Chienza who set up Isaac - such a stupid mistake and Will Still was clearly fuming after the game and could not conceal his distain at another schoolboy error costing us a goal. We passed the ball well and found pockets of space to give Liverpool plenty to think about and Charles scored a deserved equaliser. A moment of class saw them get the winner but the positives far outweighed the negatives which include the fact that Downs does not resemble a professional footballer.

If he gets to be anywhere near the standard of Shane Long he'll become a very good footballer. Still don't get the derision by many because Longy did a good job for us and played all his games in the Premier League - can anyone imagine Downs playing in the PL!

He's playing against Stephens and THB so they probably make him look like Alexander Isaac.

Let that sink in! I think Joe Aribo would do a far better job at centre forward than this guy.

I thought similar after the pre-season strike which was a clever run and an instinctive finish but clearly that was the exception rather than the norm. He just runs around with no apparent idea of where he should be or what he should do, has a first touch that is clumsy at best and no physical presence. Ok, he needs time but my instinct is that we've been conned and sold a dud.

Only a reserve Liverpool team! They started with the most expensive transfer in Prem League history up front who is a goal scoring machine, an international goalkeeper, Robertson, Frimpong, Gomez, Jones and Enzo who have a lot of PL experience, Chiesa an Italian international plus a 16 year old wonderkid all of who are far too good for any Championship side - but yeah, it was only a Liverpool reserve side 🙂 I think we need to give our boys a bit more credit than backhanded compliments because the opposition wasn't full blown Liverpool.

Yeah possibly.

Hi ho!

Surely they've twigged by now that his value reduces every time he plays.

Bit harsh on Downes who was probably our best player tonight and got through a huge shift.

Come on, you can't seriously attach any of the blame for that goal to Quarshie - McCarthy has to own that one 100%.

Most of them didn't play against Pompey so a bit harsh to blame them for that shit show.

Amen to that.

Because Liverpool had at least 4 shots on target plus he'd have spilled a few crosses.

Thought he didn't look limited and hardly put a foot wrong tonight and even carried the ball out of defence on one occasion. He is brave, strong and has some pace. Very good performance against some good players.

They did but Capt Jack will be back to fuck our defence up on Saturday.

What rubbish.

He made a couple of very good saves that would likely have beaten Bazunu.

Ok fair enough, you want to keep playing him and agree with manager's picking him. What I see time and time again is a liability. Couldn't give a monkeys what our managers see in him.

Stephens is hopeless - people just don't watch him closely enough and he is stealing a living. All 3 centre backs tonight were superior to him and Liverpool would have found it far easier if he'd been playing. Don't get why people want him in the side on Saturday but it's all about opinions I guess and Will Still will likely stick with his captain.