Saint Since '51

Squad is now 30. [31 including Ballard] Badly need to get Aribo, Smallbone, Edozie, Brereton-Diaz (and Ballard) off the books.

Genuine question. How do we fit Charles, Downes, Fernandes and Azaz into a team?

Including Sugi and Sanda loans (and ABK - even though that one not confirmed), I make that 11 gone (sold, loan ended or contract ended) 7 out on loan. So, even before we bring anyone else in, the first team squad is still 27 (not counting Ballard and Sesay). Plenty of work to do (Edozie, Aribo, Smallbone, ??, ??, ??) to make room for incomings.

I make that 16 out ...(end of contract or loan to us ended or sold or loaned out) ... and 3 in.

Putting aside other criteria, such as quality, experience in the Championship, etc, it's interesting just to look at how many of the players yesterday seemed to fit the physical criteria which we're told Will Still wants to promote; things like size, speed, energy, aggression, pressing. Robinson showed energy. Downes is terrier-like. Quarshie was massive and aggressive. Matsuki was business-like. Armstrong can be all-action. Welington flies around everwhere (in a slightly headless fashion). Harwood-Bellis is combative. Fernandez will certainly fit. Downs sounds like he will. Possibly Fraser. But I'm running out of candidates now. Will is going to have to put a bomb under the rest. Stamina won't be enough. We need energy. Perhaps this needs to be a key criterion for who stays, who goes and whom we should buy?

Some people saying mainly 4 at the back. Other people showing his Lens team with 5 at the back. That team translated into a Saints team - with wing-backs and no wingers. Other people saying AA won't play because Still does play wingers. It's strange that we really seem to have no idea what system Still will play - and therefore what type of players he needs us to sell or buy in this transfer window.

Larios is best pals with Fernandes. They are neighbours. Hope Larios going off to Spain doesn't spook him into a move.

Didn't know these rules. Thank-you.

Where is the link to the ticket sales web site?

Fair point. But shouting "FORWARD" every time we have the ball - irrespective of whether there is a pass on or how much pressure the passer is under - isn't applying the brain. Neither am I arguing for "tippy-tappy constantly turning back football". But sometimes they need to go back or sideways, to pull opponents out of possession or to keep the ball or look for the best opening, and they shouldn't be thoughtlessly "castigated" for that either. Indeed, if it means they don't lose possession and if it leads to better attacks, they should be encouraged to do it.

Wow! Somebody talking sense. What's The Cat doing here? Cat, please write something sensible about patience and probing before breaking through the opposition press. (Our goals today are good evidence). My seat is surrounded by people who shout "Forward!" every time a Saints player has the ball. They don't seem to notice that whacking it forward just gives away possession and puts you back under pressure again. Do these people every watch football as it's played by the rest of the world?

I think he's 57.

Are you sure?

I was there. Enjoyed the game a lot. Contested for the ball really well, dominated the opposition for most of the match, 60+% possession. We looked really well coached and created lots of pressure on their goal. All good. Well done and thank you to Ralph and the whole team. But one shot on target. One. In a game we bossed. That has to be a worry.