CanadaSaint

Yep. Missing it is one thing. Damaged confidence much worse.

I thought Longy was going to fall over looking for a penalty.

Regardless of the result, this feels like a turning point for or season. Lyanco discovered, multiple line-up permutations work, we absorb the arrival of Long and Theo without missing a beat. And all that against Chelsea. Lots to like tonight.

Our squad depth is light years ahead of last year.

Trying hard not to pre-judge these subs, but shit.

No, but the point is that their interplay down the right is causing Chelsea some problems, which is what many feel would happen with a Tino/KWP combo.

Funny that Ralph is willing to play Valery and KWP with one playing farther forward (even interchanging), but not - as yet - KWP and Tino.

Two free headers in two games. That needs to stop.

It’s not fashionable to say this but Burnley are a decent side with some solid players. Disappointed with a point but I’ll take it. With remotely decent finishing it would have been a comfortable three. Theo is too soft for games like this and should never have started. But with S. Armstrong coming back to full fitness it’s unlikely to happen again. Bednarek was my preferred option to partner Salisu, but not any more. Faultable on both goals. We need Stephens back.

He really needs to pull Theo now. Game on a knife edge and Theo too soft for what’s coming.

Livramento didn’t react well enough by any means but Bednarek took himself into no mans land

That’s Bednarek’s clanger - leaving him to double mark Wood

Thank you. Halo earned this time.

Is it just me, or does Livramento seem to flag a bit at around the hour mark? We seem to lose some effectiveness down the right flank after half time. I don't think there are any fitness issues, but a PL game is a lot of physical and mental stress for a 19 year-old. They're always careful with younger players for fear of throwing too much at them, too soon. I'd keep Perrault in because he brings things we need - and he's left footed, so we don't become too narrow up front. And - if we haven't used subs on injuries - I'd try switching KWP for Livramento at around 60 minutes

I think it would be neat if the band would further celebrate the club's history by personalizing their shirts to our icons of the past. Over here, the hockey teams honour their former greats by retiring their jersey numbers in a formal ceremony. It's (rightly) considered a huge honour. I'm not suggesting that - just adding another unique touch to what could become a long-lasting tradition.

Absolutely. Since moving to SMS we've never really got close to the Dell's intimidating atmosphere. If it helps to do that pre-match, fantastic. I still have dents in the back of my head from being hit with pennies aimed at the Albion Band's target. I think that's why everyone was so quick to let us kids move down to the front. 🤣

We have understandably been very focused on whether the ins and outs will make us more competitive than we were in the second half of last season, and I’m confident that they will. That’s the shorter term benefit. Even more important is the fact that fixing a lot of the accumulated financial disasters should make the club much more attractive to prospective buyers than it was six months ago. That’s the longer term benefit, because we’ll have a low ceiling for as long as Gao owns us. I don’t see a flotilla of luxury yachts suddenly appearing at Ocean Village, but the future certainly looks brighter.

Excellent first half, undermined by very poor final balls. That didn’t change until Redmond (of all people) came on. The “score when you’re on top or pay the price” bell was ringing loud and clear. I think this pre game post was prescient: KWP looked great going forward but both Newcastle goals came from his quadrant, and Salisu rescued some other problems out there. I’m far from convinced about playing him there because our depth chart becomes three LB/LWB and 1 RB/RWB. I’d still like to see Ralph try KWP and Tino on the same side. I wish Ralph would tell Stephens not to carry the ball forward because he then gives it away six times out of ten, with acres of fast break space behind him.

I would definitely play KWP and Tino (at the expense of Theo) - it would largely nullify the Saint-Maximin threat and still give us plenty of attacking pace and skill down the right. Saint-Maximin is definitely not the best back-tracker in the league.

You were one of the negative ones, weren't you! As usual. 😃

Worth noting that VVD’s arrival from Celtic certainly wasn’t met with universal approval on here. Pity that there’s no search function. I’m not suggesting that Lyanco is another VVD - just thankful that this forum has nothing to do with Saints’ scouting.

Arguably, the biggest mistake we made last year was going into the season with no depth at FB/WB (especially when one of the two we did have was only partially engaged), and then playing a high-intensity style that had them sucking air not long after half time. This ended up putting a lot of pressure on the CDs, and lead to crazy stuff like Bednarek trying to mark Saint-Maximen, Salisu trying to cover Adama Traore, and Vestergaard trying to cover anyone coming at him with pace. It also led to the whole team being knackered and injury-prone by mid-season. For me it has been a really good window. We've fixed several depth issues - especially the critical ones at WB, and there's some cash up our sleeves for January. We now have the players for a "Plan B", which I'm not sure we had last year. Ralph withdrawing Theo for Bednarek on Sunday was a very telling moment. Now he has to figure out how to keep Armstrong involved, because we're better with him in the side. This squad, and individual players, will take time to jell and build confidence - in themselves and in eachother. Hopefully we'll see significant improvements in players who have been hammered on here.

That’s exactly what I think they’re aiming for. These are the most demanding roles in the way we’re going to play, so the depth is crucial. We have it on the right but we didn’t have it on the left - until this. Subbing Theo on Sunday - and not with Redmond - was quite telling. And, thank god, we’re no longer looking at Djenepo our as LB cover.

I think we’re going to see heavier reliance on our wing backs and less reliance on wide attackers like Theo and Redmond, both of whom are unreliable anyway. Adding depth means that we can maintain that style without hitting the wall in mid-game - or, like last year - mid season. This club is definitely heading in a more positive direction. Sure, there are still some issues but this could be fun to watch.

Livramento to play farther forward?