austsaint

Quite a few have praised Stewart, but I couldn’t see a player we should be putting much faith in next season. A lumbering type, without speed - not much of a hold up game. The run he made resulting in the correct non penalty ruling, was courtesy of an inch perfect KWP pass; Stewart had time to launch a shot but dithered and gave the CB time to recover. Not for the first time this season our subs weakened the team while Fulham’s did the opposite. The arrival of Traore exposed the defensive frailties of Manning and upped the Fulham pressure for most of the second half. Downes and Ugochukwu did well. You’d have to hope Downes is with us next season, and Chelsea are going to be returned a much improved young midfielder in Les. No surprise Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes were Saint’s standouts again.

Not normally a fan of re-signing players, but Valery at RB next season would be fine with me. How old is he now, 26, 27. Showed a lot at times when a Saint as a young player.

I’m really doubting the idea that if Will S. beefed up and increased his muscle mass he’d be a better player. His limitations far exceed his attributes. I see someone who has a good first touch and is a technically good passer or recycler, particularly when not under any pressure. He would look impressive on the training pitch. It’s what made him so well suited to Martin’s game. Clearly though he can’t handle a two man partnership in CM and he isn’t good enough to play as an attacking midfielder. His good games and moments in the Championship for us were very well spaced - there were many mediocre, anonymous games where he was content to knock it round at the back as the possession stats were racked up. I think he should be moved on. The baseline for next seasons CM should include players like Charles, Downes and Ugochukwu, with a Fernandes type able to slot in when needed. Similarly, if Spors has ambitions of automatic promotion he needs better attacking midfielders than WS.

Les and Downes as the CM pairing laid the foundations for the spirited performance today. Athletic, aggressive, box-to-box players, they are the prototype for what’s needed next season - if not them, similar players. No more Smallbones or Airibos please; learn the lesson and make the CM solid, aggressive and with the capacity to trigger transition. Their performances compared well against the predictable,cautious JWP approach, which often seemed to slow the Hammers play down and allow a tempo which suited us. Sulemana was a handful, unlucky not to score, and despite his detractors has done enough to make a mockery of his treatment from Martin (Les too) and ensure the Club will recoup a good portion of his record transfer fee if he moves on in the Summer. Fernandes again impressive; what a player he is, and will be. Ramsdale , though not busy, made the saves others wouldn’t have to keep us in it until the Ugochukwu screamer arrived. Even our much maligned CBs played with structure and shape to deny all but the Bowen strike, made possible by some Manning slackness. Rusk played it down but it was good to draw level with Derby’s tally and it will be a moment of relief when another point or two leaves them with that unwanted record.

I like him, but a lot of gloss came off with those subs today. Smallbone for Sulemana shredded a lot of Rusk’s credibility. Archer, who showed some quality, being replaced by Stewart also weakened us. I’m trusting/hoping that Spors and his managerial appointment will realise that players like Smallbone and Stewart are not good enough to be first choice in the Championship next season.

At least you should have plenty of room to stretch out.

He is, sadly. Bang below average! Will that descriptor do?

Bang average at Prem level. Very, very good in the Championship. The evidence is overwhelming.

Gutless? Maybe you’re right but last night for 91 minutes and 17 seconds I thought we played some good Football and most players were giving their all, even if at times, that all isn’t quite good enough. You could argue that Wellington for Manning might have been the better choice, but otherwise this was as close to our best side playing in their best positions we’ve seen for ages. Many have argued that Downes and Ugochuku are our best holding midfield combination, and they proved it last night. I suppose Ugochuku goes back to Chelsea, but he and Downes in the Championship would be a massive step towards an immediate return. Fernandes and KWP were both outstanding last night. Christ, Fernandes is a rolled gold gem! If by some miracle we keep him next season and add some quality to the squad, I’m confident an automatic return is a good prospect. KWP, a player who is certain to leave and take his rightful place in another Prem lineup gave us at least one last reminder of his class. To see him busting a gut and creating so many attacking opportunities gave lie to some people’s suspicions that he was coasting toward the summer. Onuacho has his limitations. Sometimes his feet don’t seem to keep up with the rest of his body, but he has a great first touch; holds the ball up and offloads well; is a good header of the ball and if he could replace the scuff with a cleaner struck shot, he would be a real asset next season if he stays. Ramsdale was outstanding - that save to his left from Mateta was as pure as goalkeeping gets. It’s been a pleasure to watch him this season and he will leave with most people’s admiration. A great shame we didn’t get past Derby’s points tally last night. It will happen though, and the performance was the most encouraging thing we’ve seen from Saints since the West Ham game. Not that should save Juric’s job. His card should have been marked by now.

Fraser, along with the likes of McCarthy, Manning, Smallbone, Armstrong etc are all players who contributed to the promotion, but should have been offloaded at seasons end. Let’s hope the lesson is learned if we’re fortunate enough to bounce back next season.

Someone on Total Saints Podcast was making the point that not so long ago a trip to Selhurst Park or a visit by Palace represented a good prospect of a win. Superior recruitment and managerial appointments (by Palace) have scuppered that.

I’m glad you mention Wellington. Looks more than a decent LB, and is going to be a major asset in the Championship next season. Baffling that Juric has binned him off, and along with the hauling off of Fernandes; reverting back to 3 CBs and more crazy substitutions , he (Juric) has sealed his fate - surely it has to be caretaker Rusk immediately as a start to clearing the debris. You can probably add unlikely to the chances of Fernandes staying next season too. Any possibility snuffed out by Juric’s treatment of him yesterday.

He could be handy again next season.

Thought it should of been a red card - just for the absolute cynicism and disrespect Nunes showed to KWP.

The point, in sacking Juric now and installing a caretaker is quite clear. Likeable though he is; refreshingly honest and up front though he has been, he’s failed dismally in several key areas. Despite claiming to have followed the Club prior to joining and gaining a knowledge of the players - he clearly hasn’t. The spectacle of watching Aribo, Bree and even Manning and the potentially excellent LB Wellington thrown into CB roles in Juric’s inflexible defensive formation with a weird man marking system thrown in has been every bit as cringeworthy to watch as Martin’s possession obsession. Let’s not even raise the subject of the midfield fiasco…..but his misplaced faith in the unfortunate Smallbone comes quickly to mind. Given the financial implications are the same, whether he stays or goes at the end of the season, why not put an end to this slow drip humiliation? Give Ivan his money, let him lick his wounds and give him a chance to salvage something of his managerial reputation. Install a Rusk like caretaker so we can limp to seasons end with a focus on the clear out and rebuild. Let’s not demoralise the players, supporters and Club any longer than necessary.