Chewy

As well as coming across as prickly and over-sensitive, it was also pretty thick to react to Blackmore of all people - If he wants people to take sides in that one, there’s only going to be one winner, and it’s not the person who’s just turned up 5 minutes ago. It’s also concerning when you project it forward. Say we do get promoted and go on a bad run against superior teams - how will he react to the pressure that would bring? Sounds to me like he’s expecting people to be blowing smoke up his and the teams arse. To a small extent he has a point; unbeaten run, another win, lots to be happy with. But, and it’s a big but, we aren’t playing great, are porous at the back and aren’t creating enough good chances from our possession. And 30,000 people can see it. Either he actually believes his own BS or he’s trying to kid 30,000 people. Either way, it’s not a great look If he doesn’t want criticism, sometimes unfair and sometimes OTT, he needs another job because what he’s reacted to is small-fry for the position he’s in and most definitely the position he wants to be in next season

Is Gomes Rodrigues the lad who’s 6 but looks 37? Interesting that he’s in the U21s already if so! And yes, I also noticed Doyle … possibility for a sub spot during this hectic period? Or has he got a knock. Was looking forward to seeing him this season

Meh. I went into this 3 game period hoping for 9 points but expecting 7, safe in the knowledge there’d be a slip-up of sorts. 2 wins now needed and eminently possible. Games like yesterday will happen a few times over the season; I’m not concerned. Games like Sunderland, Leicester, Boro, Ipswich, Gillingham and even QPR and Norwich concerned me in various ways, but not this. Not apart from the fact we can’t score as many as we should, but not buying a competent (fit) striker for 2.5 years is not Martins fault. Take the point and move on and hope to have a great rest of the week.

Wishing him all the very best.

I tell you what, though - we definitely won’t be selling JWP. Just don’t see him leaving.

Good topic because the crown is open after we lost the fittest, fastest, strongest, longest, hardest, bestist, humblest and pettiest man in the world I wonder if Ross would get in? Suspect he’s quick. Would rather he didn’t sprint, though - if he pulled a hammy on Saturday I’d be really p1ssed off

On current form I think when Ross is ready to start he should be in for Kameldeen. But his mere presence on the pitch with his known speed gives opponents something to think about. It’s a tricky one but can’t justify dropping ArmA over him at the moment. Only other option would be Charlie or Stu but think that would change our play patterns a bit too much. Ultimately in a long season it shouldn’t matter - there will be enough injury, suspension and tiredness to allow plenty of rotation. We have three games when we return so any personnel changes in those games can be taken as rotation and give everyone plenty of opportunities - hopefully for Fraser and Edozie too.

And yet we tried it earlier in the season and had a horrible habit of conceding within minutes of scoring. It’s a tough one.

Late back so thought I’d sleep on it. West Brom are a good side with a good coach; overall I thought we were a tad fortunate to get all 3 points; the winner was against the run of play but kudos for our character and the finish. Last years team doesn’t have the mentality to draw that game, let alone win it, and last years Armstrong slashes that wide rather than calmly controls it. Great stuff. Other high points - great by both cbs. Excellent defense at all the set pieces - west Brom had quality delivery and some physical monsters and we dealt with every one. Think Charlie made a couple of clearing headers so kudos to him to. Charlie had his best game over a full 90 in the more withdrawn role than I can remember. He’s had better days higher up but this was more disciplined and assured - very good. And great to see the LND. He exists!! Only a few minutes but you can see he’s a player and gave us an important outlet for managing the last few mins. Our end of game management has been pretty good this season. A few negatives- not sure why we lost control of midfield; it happened on about 40 minutes and got more concerning as the second half progressed. Smallbones injury didn’t help, neither did Downes’ yellow card. Didn’t think Fraser for Will was the right move, we needed Shea I thought. Of course Ryan’s brilliant work got us the winner but not until we’d surrendered more of the midfield and an equalizer. Ryan for Kamaldeen a bit later and Shea for Will would have made more sense IMHO. Otherwise the subs were good. I also think the biggest issue was not getting a second when we were on top for 40 minutes. Hopefully Ross will help here, and maybe there was an errant linesman’s flag but we still aren’t clinical enough in the final third. But west Brom will be one of the tougher nuts to crack. Overall, got to be very happy. Looked a tough game before and so it proved and yet we won, scoring against the run of play, scoring twice against a very efficient defense, having to show strong mentality to go again and playing our 4th choice cb due to injury and suspension. All of these are major positives and suggest a promising season. And that’s before you talk about 8 unbeaten including 6 wins. We’re in a good place. Not an ideal time for a break although it’ll allow Ross, Jack (and possibly Bree and Smallbone) to recover some more. We should have a pretty much full squad when we return, brimming with confidence and hopefully a bigger goal threat. Exciting times ahead (usual caveat of this being saints, and I have 40 years experience of what that means … 😉)

Gio1saints is definitely a reincarnation of someone, just not sure who yet. Smug, yet simultaneously talking cr4p - doesn’t exactly narrow it down much 😂 I miss Art and Bearsy most for their utter randomness. I also strangely enjoyed Alpines total misery. Dont miss MLG at all, however. So much better here since he left

Lol - and what did I say about footballers keeping their heads

It’s been a very entertaining watch, I have to say. God knows how Spurs didn’t have two sent off. If Chelsea keep and use their heads they’ll get 3 points here. A big “if” when applied to footballers in a feisty derby.

I saw them beat Coventry the other evening and they look very well organised; tough to break down and capable on the counter … which is probably our worst-scenario opponents. If we’re not reckless at the back we should have plenty of the ball and will need to be concentrated and patient; could be a long afternoon but if it’s 0-0 after 90 mins we’ve always got Gav and Fraser.

He doesn’t want to be overheard in Saudi Arabia shouting excitedly “yes! Get in!!” too much

Been out all day and missed it … and apparently we did a clean sheet?? For real???

Anyway, onto the match. Same team, please. Obviously. Adams for Mara on the bench and (assuming Jack and Ross aren’t fit) otherwise an unchanged match day squad.

I do wonder when FIFA will push it too far. I mean, this decision is clearly obscene on multiple levels and yet we all casually expected it. That in itself shows what utter disdain most “western” fans have for FIFA. It is morally redundant and everyone knows it. Question is, I guess, when does western football call time on it. Do we actually need FIFA. I mean, do we actually need it at all? The money in football flows from a handful of leagues in Europe which is increasingly alienated by FIFA - and perversely these same money men buying world cups will realise they need to do more to accommodate the wealthy European clubs to protect those investments. I sense a growing conflict ahead. Money always ruined “sport” at its purest level and with the unfathomable sums involved nowadays its getting more nauseating by the second.

Just thinking the same thing - they look very organised defensively.

Whitey, you do talk some utter sh1t.

Really good day for all concerned; even a great half-time (thanks Marian). KWP had a brain fart which isn’t the managers fault but until then he was probably MOTM so we’ll let him off. We were shaky for about 6 or 7 mins after which is a concern still, but the team is still pretty young. I also loved how we managed to regain control and spent 5 mins with total possession and control which pretty much killed their comeback off. Was still nervous until the 3rd but that’s my scar tissue and in all honesty we never looked at risk again. Very accomplished and professional thanks to the possession play and making all the right subs at the right time - we’ll done! Like most here, Downes was my MOTM. Thought Bree was quietly excellent - barely noticed him whereas I always notice Manning, mostly for the wrong reasons. Centre backs and keeper good. Charlie and Stu weren’t especially good imho (and I’m a fan of both) but they do both move and probe which makes them hard to mark and creates space elsewhere. Smallbone played well, especially filling in for KWP to allow him to play almost as a winger, which in turn meant Charlie could be more narrow causing confusion in their marking. And there’s no combating Kamaldeens pace - just need it in the right places for him. Finally, ArmA has great attitude and work rate but ultimately isn’t the striker we need. Add a good one and performances like todays will get a score line to match. Extra mention for the officials - Lino missed 3 or 4 offsides first half in our favour, including a goal apparently? And the ref missed a penalty I thought was obvious from 80 yards away. Brilliant!! Very good day - we had the movement we’ve been crying out for, got width, got support in central attacking areas and utilized our creative players in effective positions. We might also have found a left-back. As I said at the start, really good day for all concerned.

I read it almost entirely the other way round, though. I think people were generally positive to begin with and becoming increasingly frustrated because we don’t seem to be improving in the key areas that are obvious to everyone except RM, coupled with the fact he’s talking defensively and patronisingly to us - it’s like Jones only more coherent. Most of us have watched an awful lot of football and know sh1t when we see it - so don’t BS us into saying we’re seeing real progress on our path to finding the magic bullet of footballing systems … because we aren’t and we can all see it. The performance against Sheff We’d was still one of our best this season and despite the time he’s had (which he’s forever banging on about) we’re no better now. Yes I know there were different personnel available but we’re worse TACTICALLY now. We looked dangerous out wide - got it wide quickly and regularly and had the wingers attack their full backs or cut inside and shoot. Why have we stopped that? We had midfielders move rather than just occupy a spot in a rigid formation - why have we stopped that? All in all, I’m actually satisfied with our overall performance - we have crap defenders, strikers and keepers which is a problem if you can’t score and prevent opposition goals. Not RMs fault. But I’m really concerned that the insistence of worshipping at the alter of possession football is actually highlighting our deficiencies rather than playing to our strengths. Im not a stat man but our xg in relation to possession must be a huge negative (ie opposition get as many xg with 20% possession as we do with 80% sort of thing). We are so overloaded and ponderous in midfield that we dominate possession without creating anything and whenever we do lose the ball we give the opposition a dangerous chance. It’s this issue which is staring all of us in the face every game and isn’t improving. FWIW I think we need a solid midfield 2 to protect the defence, and allow the full backs to push on our wide, where they can support our wingers, the real strength of our squad. Add in an amc because- quite frankly- we barely have one striker worth a spot let alone 2. Wide quickly and early and with the wingers coming in narrow to support up front with full backs providing width. In terms of creativity we have Stu, Charlie, Ryan, Edozie, Kamaldeen and SAA - as much creativity as any squad in the division. Yet we create f all. Given our strikers need 700 chances per goal, this is our biggest issue and to circle this back, until RM sorts this issue which all of us can see, he’ll get an increasingly frustrated fan base. There is and was no great clamour for him to fail from day one, and being foreign has nothing to do with it. Playing the wrong tactics for the players (good ones too) at his disposal and repeating the same mistakes is what is causing the current noise - nothing else.

We don’t have a striker and haven’t since Ings left (bar about 4 months of an in-form Broja). We have a sub-standard keeper and have done for years. We’ve also had poor centre backs for as long as I can remember. So you’re right, players not systems matter. And without players who can score and players who can prevent the opposition scoring we’re likely to continue to be sh1t. We didn’t fail to beat Preston or Rotherham because of Martins tactics as much as we completely lack a cutting edge. Mara, Adams, ArmA, Fraser, Charlie, Stu, Kamaldeen … even Ballard. Any of them good enough to score regularly in the top flight? Nope. Ok for a few in this division, but hardly an attack that will over power at our level, and way off the level we should be aspiring to. It’s woeful and has been for years. Made more of an issue by our defenders and keeper. When Martin is at fault for being kamikazee as per Leicester and Sunderland I’ll happily call him out. When he’s undone by having such sh1t forwards and defenders I’ll look to the recruitment team which has spectacularly failed for at least 3 years.

For someone who knows very little about football (Aribo as cf and a midfield 3 of Will, Shea and Flynn) your complete arrogance is as unfounded as it is insulting.

Interesting thoughts … I won’t accuse you of being Russell because even he (I hope) wouldn’t think a) Shea should be replacing Stu or b) Aribo could play cf. Personally I wouldn’t play Aribo anywhere, but that’s a different story. You mention the “canny” move by Rotherham in changing tactics and my one major gripe at Martin yesterday would be our inability to properly react to that. Football doesn’t change much - you either go through, round or over a team’s defence. If they ‘cannily’ adapted to stop the width, we should have cannily brought on Charlie to have him and Stu to go through the middle instead (they were too deep to go over). Added benefit that they both finish better than our incompetent strikers. Too offensive a midfield at home to Leicester, but appropriate against a 9 man defence. I do think Martin is too stuck on the process to adapt to suit a game - we have 5 good midfielders in Shea, Stu, Charlie, Flynn and Will - we need a different combination for different circumstances (normally 3, occasionally 4) and Martin is constantly getting the combination wrong imho. I think this is because he wants the Will/Flynn fulcrum to evolve because it’s the best combination for dominating possession (which he’s obviously obsessed about). I get that, but we’ve got a f***ing game of football to win so let’s worry about that first, shall we? Turn it into a practice match when we’re cruising 3-0, but not when we need the points available. Getting the right midfield combination for the tactical challenge we face each different game will determine our success for the rest of the season imho. FWIW Shea, Will and Flynn would not be my 3 (as it would seemingly be for you) except when shutting up shop. Zero creativity. Think your point 19 is way OTT. I don’t boo, don’t think it helps and don’t think I have a right to behave dreadfully (especially in public, in front of kids) just because it’s football. But I also have enough understanding of other humans to accept it’s going to happen at times in life; particularly at football matches; and particularly at st Mary’s where we’ve been dished up 6-7 years of utter sh1te (our only good run in that time was during covid when we couldn’t bleeding go anyway!!!). And largely because faceless, arrogant tossers who sit in directors seats have miss-managed us and failed to recruit one single striker in 4 f*cking years. People are angry, understandably so. And if you’re too sensitive to cope with being exposed to it when it over-spills in inappropriate ways in the heat of the moment, don’t go. No, maybe Martin (or any human being) doesn’t deserve quite that level of dogs abuse, but it has always happened, will always happen, was something he knew would happen when he took the job, and he’s paid an astronomical amount of money to put up with. I wouldn’t do it myself, but equally I wouldn’t begin to bother moaning about it in his (or your) shoes. Id rather he spent time working out how to a) balance his midfield, b) find a magic goal-scoring bean for someone … anyone …

On the face of it that’s utterly sh1te. Don’t understand recalling Adams and dropping Charlie, and don’t understand withdrawing Stu and Kamaldeen. Definite mistakes imo but despite all that we murdered them (as we should) and could have scored a hatful. As p1ssed off as I am, I can’t actually blame the failure to turn that into a win on Martin - ultimately it’s the same f*cking issue that we’ve had for 3 seasons. We would still be a premier league club if we’d replaced Ings properly, and we’d have won today at a canter with a half decent striker. Dreadful finishing by sun standard forwards. Mara isn’t going to improve things, we loaned out our only possible youth option, and our major striker signing was late and injured. After 6 transfer windows I’d hoped for better. Ross better be good, otherwise we’re not going to win an awful lot of games that we should and results like this will be as common as they have been this entire sodding decade so far. I seriously hate Saturday evening’s feeling this p1ssed off and frustrated. The kind of annoyance that makes you want to chuck it in. It’s easier when we’re dreadful. For once we weren’t and we still f it up because the club recruitment has been incompetent for years.