austsaint

Agree, Armstrong looked lively today. Don’t know that either of the full backs have getting up the pitch more in their lockers. Roerslav had his hands full with the excellent Jacob Murphy. Charles and Fraser both good. Very underwhelmed by Azaz at this stage; he looks a couple of grades below the Armenian Chappy. Difficult to know whether the side is still settling in (what I want to believe) or whether we’re in for a frustrating season.

From memory Potter rested many of his big names, and the many chances you talk about came in the last 20 minutes when he rang the changes. Besides the late sublime Ward-Prowse free kick, it was Lavia, Stu Armstrong and even ABK who stood tall. Selles finest hour.

I’ve got a feeling that the highlight of Selle’s managerial career will be the first up win as our manager against Chelsea, parading around with the black skivvy and blue suit. Fleetingly we thought we might have the next big thing. All downhill since.

Many were critical of Spors after the initial Downs, Quarshie signings and the long gap between further signings and sales - yet he’s pieced it all together with the planning and precision of a surgeon. Impressive.

Nice lad; very average player. Wish him well at the Den.

True enough. Different, better decision makers. It’s been a long time coming.

Yes, a decent player, but with his contract running down, it’s only fitting he be reunited with Jones at the Valley - even if it isn’t a Welsh valley.

It’s always a great listen. I’m always interested to see how far Glen and Steve get through their pints as the podcast plays out and just how many times Alfie House gives his hair and mo a good preen.

Fair to say that Spors and Still have not only brought in good players to replace Fernandes and Dibling, and strengthen the squad overall; they have also weeded out most of the weak links and under performers. Only Smallbone, should he not move, remains as one the Club should have cashed in on. Maybe there were not takers outside of the Wrexham bid. I’d argue that Aribo, should he stay, will be an asset as a squad player, and it’s unlikely he’s burned any bridges.

I assume if Aribo and Smallbone can’t be shifted, the midfielder from Serie A, Doumbia is not going to happen?

If Scienza does land with us rather than Paris FC his dead ball skills (which are probably Manning’s strong suit) might pave the way for Jellert, and upon return, Wellington to be the preferred LBs.

I wonder why he was available for loan, and option to buy? Contract running down, Galatasaray have better?

I had to turn the sound down; Tessem’s high pitched blaring was doing my head in. Wasn’t one of Blackmore’s best days either. On the pitch, I thought Still should have changed things earlier. Robinson not at the races today; lost the ball often and ran too far without looking for link up passes. Matsuki improved the look of the midfield when he came on but the momentum had turned many minutes before. Stunning free kick by Manning but there were worrying echoes with both he and Bazunu back to the worst days of 23/24. Azaz looked short of a run; Archer faded out of the game in the second half and there were familiar errors from Stephens. THB not at his best yet and while Wood was hard working, he lacks a bit of polish. Uncomfortable game to watch, felt like a defeat.

The lad at Ibrox is working overtime I’ve noticed.

Looks seriously good. Could be the pick of the new crop!

And his deft half-turn was something Flynn Downes could take note of. Matsuki’s cameo, the emergence of Shea Charles and the Archer showing were the highlights of last night. Fraser’s continued good form and an improved showing from Edwards were reasons to be cheerful too. Much maligned Macca did alright. To cap off a good night there were definitely signs of a well organised high up the field press.

It is a risky, overly cautious approach by SR which has now given Bazunu an unchallenged spot as first choice keeper, even though there’s not much evidence that he has improved markedly on what was a mediocre Championship season in 23/24. The Club went to the trouble of pushing the boat out for Ramsdale to improve things; they presumably would like to return to the Prem immediately, but have turned their back on providing competition for Bazunu, and a strengthening of the GK position. It’s fairly clear that Alex McCarthy is happy enough to sit on the bench and play the odd Cup game as his contract winds down and his hair turns greyer. Bringing in someone like Matt Ryan which would not have broken the bank would have immediately strengthened the squad and provided competition for Bazunu. It’s a gaff by Spors…..could have been so easily fixed.

George Long sounds a bit meh after monikers like Bialkowski, Boruc, Bazunu and Forecast!

Don’t you mean Josh Sims - making the run and setting up Long. Have always rated Harrison Reed though; thought he was the equal of JWP, dead ball delivery aside, and he’d be an asset as a holding mid.

I still have faith in a midfield setup of Downes Charles and Fernandes - mind you another Lavia would be handy with his half-turns, passing through the lines ability and box-to-box qualities. We are badly missing a Stu Armstrong “type” with his strong, direct runs; a creative 10 which Fernandes isn’t, and presumably the never-to-be-seen again Armenian is. You realise how good KWP was with his wing-back qualities which are largelymissing now. While the sales of Sulemana and Edozie were probably the right decisions; starting a season without fast , counter attacking wide players is an obvious problem. Earlier in the transfer window there were people wanting SR to push the boat out for a proven striker even if it meant a Club record fee rather than relying on Armstrong, Archer, a fragile Stewart and the unproven Downs. Let’s not even include BBD………it’s looking increasingly like that need is more important than ever.

It was a superb free kick by Manning, but as you say, Still’s apparent rating of Wellington as first choice LB sits well with me. Manning is proven back up and will undoubtedly be subbed on in the second half.

Agree. Saints getting 30m GBP for a 30 year old JWP was good business, though you could argue we overpaid somewhat for Flynn Downes.

I understand your thinking about commitment, based on his apparent standoff after Martin left. I get the feeling though that Downes is on board with Still and is good enough to (re) establish himself as one of the best central midfielders in the Championship.

Well as long as you’re not totally unconvinced by Downes. In the Championship he’s much, much better than your typical crab footballer. I’d call Smallbone more your recognisable crab midfielder - Downes can easily handle a holding or box-to-box role this campaign; particularly if we play 4-3-3 formation once the dust has settled on the transfer window.

Aye, well said. It was the late, late show… but well done to Ryan Manning and Captain Jack. Much maligned by many, including by me. Magnificent fee kick from Manning and match saving tackles and a match winning goal from Stephens. Great feeling; happy for Will Still.