austsaint

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.

Oops, too much pal ale! Yes, from memory Fuller joined us for 90k. The Japanese lad at 10 million GBP is looking like a shrewd buy for Brum, don’t you think?

Looks a good signing for 10k. Wonder why Celtic let him go.

They’ve been pretty happy with Luke Shaw though!

What should he let go of first though - the pop psychology or the love for Russell?

Good call on formation and CB personnel, and also the idea of Archer up front with Downs. Downes alongside Charles is a crucial need for the midfield. Has to be Wellington though for Manning; an all round better player and superior wing back - needed if we play the 3 CBs and with the current shortage of wide attacking players. Please, not Smallbone - in the absence of Dibling and Fernandes, hoping for Armstrong and Robinson. Fraser off the bench on the wing.

Yes, he was a “visionary”, our Dalek. I hope he is still with us. His cautious pessimism acted as a bit of a handbrake, even in those progressive days of Poch and Ronald.

Wasn’t that Dalek? Alpines forecasts were a lot gloomier than that.

It will be interesting to see whether any one refers to him as that “big black bloke”, given the descriptor doing the rounds on the Women’s Football thread. A lot depends on who stays. If THB does, then he, Edward’s, Wood and the Captain may restrict his time. You get the feeling though, that as the season goes on, he might become one of the first (CBs) picked.

Let’s hope at seasons end there’s a nomination for Shea Charles.

I’m thinking that too, but I thought I’d be diplomatic.

Yes, if Aribo stays, he will be an asset in the Championship. Don’t think Still will muddle around with defensive midfield or CB roles for Joe. He and Matsuki look like good attacking midfield prospects with Charles and Downes the defensive midfield picks - perhaps there’s a need for a third central/defensive mid. I’m seeing Smallbone as a squad player at best.

Sorry mate. My mistake in giving the credit to Egg. You’ve done well - your thread caused me to ponder why I sold and gave away all my vinyl and cd’s without putting them on some sort of digital keepsake. I’ll take your “send off” as a friendly bit of banter.