Chewy

I was clamoring for a move away from the narrow 4222 so was happy with the starting line up from that perspective. And although it wasn’t a great performance it was telling that we actually managed to create things in open play for once by having some width, movement and space to run into. Thought Alcaraz in the 10 worked well, Theo played an effective role and Adams kept the defenders occupied. Sulemane wasn’t great but he’s going to be inconsistent, especially at his age. It’s encouraging that Selles adapted from his default formation and having got the result (with some luck to help) I’m hopeful he’ll persevere. Of course, it depends on having the personnel available too. As AA, Moi and Mara demonstrated yesterday, behind the first choices we have an army of dross to call on.

I’m sorry but this just sums up where people happily slag off the obvious candidates and give the favourites a free pass. Bednarek has been poor on a number of occasions and is not a great defender but yesterday was not one of those days. Both free headers they had were on ABKs side, not Jan’s. Unless he was 9 feet tall he couldn’t possibly have dealt with them. There were 3 dodgy clearances that looked rush, one was his fault. For the other two he clearly shot ABK a look to say “where was my shout”? He doesn’t know he has more time if no one tells him and clearly you can’t take a risk. I suspect it’s precisely this lack of communication from others that’s the reason Jan’s in the team. The others might be better defenders but none of them talk. Your last comment simply never happened yesterday. On the theme of boo boys, why is Bazunu getting sh1t? A dreadful clearance but from a terrible fired-in ball from KWP and shouldn’t have been pressed by Maddison cause we were getting the ball back. The “flap” at the end probably helped - did more to put their guy off than AMN who was meant to be marking him but turned his back and lost him. Hes not the second coming of Niemi but he was ok yesterday - people are just looking for excuses to single certain players out at every turn and happily give others a free ride. Literally no one has moaned about ABK for the 2 free headers. Potentially great defender and some fine moments yesterday but these were his mistakes.

Exactly. He’s out numbered because we have 4 forwards and just one person alongside to pass to (or 4 people behind him). The 4 forwards are narrow, hidden, marking each others space and not moving. How that is Lavias fault is beyond me. We didn’t score from open play against a side in last year’s conference with Lavia on the pitch, or with JWP on the pitch. It’s pretty obvious this is not the source of our problems. I do think it’s telling that 2 managers have called him out so wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an attitude issue. But given where he’s come from and where he’ll obviously end up I wouldn’t particularly blame Lavia for thinking he’s somewhat better than his sh1t team mates and incompetent coaches. Not saying that’s an acceptable attitude, just that it’s perhaps understandable

I’m enjoying the discussions about whether last year’s sh1t players are in fact better than this year’s sh1t players. And later on I’m going to thoroughly enjoy watching a quality premier league football match in a great stadium with a fantastic atmosphere where the mighty Saints achieve yet another great result. Why on earth do I do this to myself…

What is the B team line up? Any other first team squad members involved? Does seem odd to be honest- he had minutes on Wednesday (nothing special but not as bad as some of the others) and I’d have expected him on the bench tomorrow. It’s not like we’ve got loads of options better than him?

I don’t think anyone is wanting to turn on Selles and I don’t actually think people will; certainly not vocally or with the level of vitriol there was for Jones. BUT … there are already a few justifiable questions and fans have every right to highlight them. In his favour he has already come across as measured, positive, calm, authoritative; basically everything Jones wasn’t. We did also beat Chelsea but to be fair were a little lucky. That’s it for the positives - literally that’s it. In the neutral lane we have reports that the players like him. Can be taken either way, but 3 thoughts: 1) My best ever boss was someone I respected but didn’t necessarily like. 2) The players also allegedly liked Jones. 3) I don’t actually give a sh1t if this crop of underperforming, self-obsessed cretins are pally with the boss - should be last if their concerns And then in the negative column I guess two things. Firstly he’s tainted - since he came in as a coach Ralph got worse and Jones was dreadful. Selles was here for both - how much input he had will never be known by us, but the fact his team sheets as caretaker v Sheff Wed and since taking over have looked identical to the worst of Ralph’s, I am concerned he was a significant influence early this season. And secondly his tactics and in game changes which is all we really have to go on. Religiously sticking to 4222 will be the same disaster as it was becoming under Ralph. We might get the odd result in games where we have little of the ball because it’s a great starting point for an aggressive press. But it’s a terrible formation for creating chances when you have the ball as we’ve happily proved about 50 times in the last 3 years. This single fact alone is my biggest concern from the Leeds and Grimsby games. If he is as tied to this tactic as I fear, we’re f*cked and so is he. I want him to succeed, he seems likable with charisma. But he needs to learn and show he can adapt pretty quickly. Not a single one of the greatest managers stuck religiously to one tactic and didn’t adapt. Some very good ones got away with it for a season or two but if you won’t adapt you’ll be caught and overtaken in time. Ralph’s already had the first two years of this formation and we’ve been well and truly measured by all our opponents now, who know exactly how to play us. If he doesn’t change this immediately we’re done for. And to go back to the initial point, all of the fans can see this - we’ve witnessed it for months and are sick of it. And the vast majority understand enough about football to see the glaring tactical issues. So if he serves up exactly the same recipe for failure I do fear it won’t be long before the fans turn on him. Then we’ll get the predictable line about how entitled and impatient the fans are. We’re not - we’ve just watched enough football to understand what’s wrong and what needs fixing and are utterly bemused by why the coaches and managers don’t.

I guarantee you’ll be staying in the pub then. None of us would pick them, Selles definitely will play at least one, probably both

Bazunu McCarthy Willy Damn, reached my limit of three before I got to the outfield players …

From a coaching perspective, that was as abject as it gets. Out thought tactically by a promoted conference side … because we play the same way; have no variety; no tactical changes in game ever; AMs that mark our own CFs because they’re in their way, taking up any space for dropping deep; have no width because the AMs are narrow,; get out numbered in midfield because we have 4 forwards marking each other leaving just two CMs. It might work on the ‘transition’ playbook, or as a fantastic pressing formation against a Man City or in some other hipster reality. But for winning a football match when you actually occasionally have the ball it’s FUCKING SHIT! We never score from open play, and we never will playing like that. Change the formation, it doesn’t work. None of us are well paid coaches but every single one if the fans I was sat near could see exactly the same problems. Too many forwards, not moving, not getting wide so offering zero threat and getting simultaneously out numbered in midfield. By a newly promoted conference side. Seriously, how sh1t must our tacticians be to not see this? In a seasons of continuous new lows, that’s as bad a coaching/tactical performance as I’ve seen. And don’t get me started on the gutless imbeciles on the pitch.

Like most of the above I think 8, maybe 9 of the team pick themselves. We all seem to want a back 4, KWP, ABK, Salisu, Perraud. A midfield of JWP, Lavia, Charlie. And the two new boys up top. Only areas up for debate seem to be keeper (I’d personally stick with Bazunu), centre back (I.e. whether DCC replaces one of the above) and who the third forward is (probably a wide forward in a 433). We have S Armstrong, A Armstrong, Edozie, Orsic, Walcott, Eli, Djenepo, Aribo and even Dibling and Doyle to pick from. I’d personally start with probably Stu (or Orsic) and have Edozie on the bench but happily accept any other opinion. Except Eli of course - he is, and always has been, terrible. He did have a good 5 minutes v Arsenal, granted. 5 mins in 4 years. Given that we barely have one good centre forward (promising start for Paul but unproven) let alone 2, and do have 3 good midfielders I would very obviously favour 433. Sticking Charlie out wide to me seems pointless. 433 allows you to solidly sit in a midfield 5 when needed, and support the cf with any combination of the rest: 4141, 4231, 433 narrow, even a bl00dy Christmas tree. Sit the midfielders and bomb the full backs, sit the full backs and push JWP/Charlie. It’s all possible and adaptable to the opposition and match scenario. The only drawback is failing to support Paul, but our other centre forwards are cr4p. And you can compensate by playing Sulemane as a cheating winger staying high up the pitch. That’s what I would do - main bench of DCC, Bree (or AMN), Diallo, Edozie, Orsic, Adams, Mara. Plus a keeper and AN other. Probably a youngster. Simple 😉

I see Garth Crooks picked Janny B in his team of the week. That’s settled it, he has to start against Leeds.

I’m also missing DT these last few hours. Hope he’s ok, unlike him to be silent when we’ve won a game. Anyway, much as I’m delighted with yesterday I think we should wait a couple more games before committing to Selles. Even mad Nate got a couple of wins on the spin. I’d say if he can get to the end of the Leicester game unbeaten and - most critically- look to have the players organised and playing for him still, he will deserve it long-term. But one amazing result, pleasing as it is, is not enough to go on IMHO.

Most recent press conferences have left me wanting to laugh, cry or vomit - sometimes all 3. That was just … well, normal. How refreshing. How articulate. How calm. And yet you can sense an underlying determination there too. Fingers crossed some of that transmits onto tomorrow’s performance

I’d add to that 6) not getting a striker for Jan 1st because it was blindingly obvious we needed one for that month’s fixtures 7) not sacking Jones when it was obvious his appointment was a terrible mistake (I’d suggest by the Forest game … but certainly immediately after Brentford) Its not just the errors made in the summer which clearly set us up to struggle; it’s compounding it all in the last 6 weeks, a critical time which has turned from a struggling side likely to be relegated into a total mess virtually guaranteed to go down. But I think both of these sit squarely on Andersen and at least one of these is down to his ego.

I watched the highlights to see - if that’s him with the ‘assist’ it’s a complete miss-kicked shot 😂 Still, one more assist that most of our squad have managed all season!

A week ago I wouldn’t have been super-excited at the prospect of Marsch as manager, so I’m not going to start crying now - even if I had started warming to the idea. And either way, at least Jones is gone. That said, what a f***ing shambles we are. SR have invested a lot of money and there’s plenty to be pleased with, but key decisions: Sign a striker this summer - failed Decide if Ralph is our man - failed Replace Ralph with a good manager - failed Sign a striker Jan 1st - failed Get a head of recruitment sorted - success … then they leave after 5 mins Appoint your number 1 target as new manager- seemingly failed Anyone get the impression our top executive(s) are utter failures?

I don’t disagree with the aspiration, far from it. I just don’t think it’s realistic - clubs have the money and power and would moan to the relevant organisations and authorities. Plus not only does it need full agreement in one country, you’d need all of world football to adhere at the same time otherwise you’d have European refs officiating to different standards in champions league games for example. It sounds simpler than it would be to implement. And at what stage is it abuse? A muttered “for f’s sake” by the player immediately the whistles blown? A loud “no way ref, I got the ball”, or full blown verbal assault?? Everyone has a different limit/interpretation. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the attitude of footballers towards officials, but it would need total support from all stakeholders in a countries, and backing the officials no matter what the outcry in the first few weeks. Sorry, I’m a pessimist because I don’t ever see that happening.

The only way this gets better is with a zero tolerance approach, which would need implementing at the highest level to set the example. Unfortunately with the money involved I don’t imagine it’d go down well when every game gets abandoned for lack of players after 6 minutes each time. The authorities would crumble in 2 seconds. The level of abuse from top players to refs is, quite frankly, disgusting. Football needs to face up to it and support a zero tolerance approach, but unfortunately it never will. Depressing but reality I think

To be fair at least Jan had a second coming (horrific as it’s been). Jesus has kept us all waiting a very long time. Needs to be something pretty special to be worth this amount of waiting. Mind you, there’ll be some celebrations! Remember when Claus finally scored?? And that was only what, 10 years?

Mostly I think you’re a decent poster … and then you go and select Ely. ??? He shouldn’t be anywhere near a premier league team. Otherwise I mostly agree with the team. I might move Salisu to left back and play ABK. I don’t rate him as a left back, but I don’t rate Perraud defensively either. FWIW I’d pick any of Armstrong, Armstrong, Orsic, Djenepo, Edozie, KWP, Walcott, Diallo or Perraud ahead of Ely. Probably even Lyanco 😂

I think for gravitas, organisation and to tie us over until the summer I’d like Rafa. I doubt that’s who we’ll get. I don’t want to overdo my moaning, but if Ankersen is in charge of the process I’m not optimistic. Chose Jones in the first place, just cost us another week and 3 points delaying the inevitable to protect his ego. The man should be nowhere near this.

I think we’d end up looking fine to be honest. In terms of outgoings you look at who is out of contract this year: Wily, AMN, Ely & Walcott (& Watts if you want to count him). Wages saved and basically no impact to the team. Only extensions wanted would be youngsters, certainly Finnigan, Turner & Pearce. No real loss though if any choose not to sign. Next look at 2024 contracts who you need to sell this summer if you want any sensible fee. Apart from Salisu, there’s a load of players who are all not very good so I’d happily cash in on any: McCarthy, Vokins, Stephens, Diallo, Chauke, Smallbone, S Armstrong, Olaigbe, Adams and Nlundulu. Possibly add Simeu and Small to that as youngsters we may want to extend? We’d miss McCarthy, Diallo and Armstrong from the squad but not necessarily 1st team. Loads of cash and saved wages again. Only 2024 youth players we’d be desperate to extend are Doyle and Ballard. That then leaves players were under no pressure to sell for contract lengths, but I’d suggest some will want to go, and of course some we might want rid of. Based on rumours and common sense, KWP, Djenepo, Tella, Mara, JWP and Lavia would surely have suitors. Probably ABK too, possibly not Tino due to injury question marks. We’d cope without KWP, but would miss Lavia and JWP. I’d then happily see Perraud, Lyanco, Bednarek and Aribo go. I’ve no idea on the newer players but given when we signed them (I.e. a couple of weeks when we looked relegation favourites anyway) would hope they’d be kept. Loads out and I’d suggest we’d be: fine in goal, right back, and am, ok but short of cover cb, cm and cf and need a left back and dm. That said, I think we need a left back anyway, and Lavia won’t stay long whatever league we’re in. We probably would be fine at cb as we wouldn’t be lucky enough to sell all of Jan, Lyanco and Stephens. So we’d have Bazunu, Liz Simeu, DCC, ABK (poss?) Bree, Tino Larios, Small no one Alcaraz A Armstrong, Orsic, Edozie, Sulemane Onuachu Plus Ballard, Doyle and maybe another youngster or two. Financially that leaves us not bad, and the team quality looks pretty competitive for the championship (except left back) but clearly lacking depth. Obvious issue is midfield but I imagine we’d have some available cash to spend if we sold all of the above. If we could somehow keep Lavia for another season I reckon we’d be very good in that league. One other plus point IMHO and I know it won’t be universally popular, but I’d happily end our relationship with JWP. Great servant, amazing free kicks but over-rated in open play and a dreadful captain. Since he’s been our ‘leader’ our team has been woefully short of guts, spine, balls - whatever you want to call it - and it stems from him on the pitch. He’s also pretty thick at times when it comes to game management. We need a new captain to break the losing and frankly gutless cycle we are in. We would miss him, but he’d be near the top of my list to sell to help the reset.

Here goes … Odd looking team, very odd bench (DCC, ABK, Orsic?) and then when they set up like that!!! Wtf?? For a non cb, AMN actually did ok (apart from giving the ball away lots, but that’s his standard) but we have three other actual cbs, and you did worry that at some point it might be costly, especially with Janny B beside him. It’s almost like you could predict it. Not exactly good football to begin with, worrying overloads down our left due to our formation but definitely more front footed. And definitely more long stuff. Still, when it went 1-0 who gave a sh1t. And then 10 men!!! Surely even we could make this advantage count! The next 30 mins then badly cost us. Wolves had lost their heads and were ripe for the taking - we could have won the game there. We didn’t push enough, and two dumb ass yellow cards in quick succession made us more passive and our chance for 2-0 before halftime went. The first dumbass culprit was of course our captain. The second part of the 30 mins that cost us was at halftime. I see Jones is saying the red card changed things … did he not have a full 15 minutes to sort that??? Even by his standards that’s a pathetic excuse. Everyone knows we needed 4-3-3 at half time except Jones. And then he just got worse. Onuachu was shot at 65 mins, Jones prepared that sub at 72 and we conceded with the substitution waiting to happen. And of course after conceding we needed a goal - still v ten men of course, so needed 2 centre forwards. Jones chooses this moment to go 433 and play one cf. I mean it’s impossible to be any more moronic. You can’t legislate for the level of individual ineptitude in both their goals, only I wouldn’t have had Bednarek or AMN on the pitch, and neither would 90% of our fans so actually yes, I will also blame Jones for that. It was not - from a purely footballing perspective - worse than Forest. But in terms of tactics, personnel, substitutions and game management it was yet another new low for me. Leaderless on the pitch, coached, managed and prepared woefully. There are no excuses and this will not get better without changing something drastically - we all know what the first step in that needs to be. Do it tonight

Such an odd feeling today - I mean, of course I want us to win and of course I want us to stay up. It’s just that I know we probably won’t do either, and Jones’ sacking would be a silver lining on an otherwise huge dark cloud.

Here’s a question. Before the season we needed 1 x £40m striker to be good enough to avoid the drop. You’ve spent over £100m and we’re bottom of the league. How has that happened?