goodymatt

He won the ball back 9 times yesterday, more than any Saints player. Not a side of his game we have seen much of previously. I welcome his extra effort off the ball.

It’s definitely not out of our hands. Teams are playing each other and so will drop points. We also have a lot of the teams in the race left to play - Wrexham, Preston, Derby, Bristol and QPR. The only team in the hunt with a better record last 5 games is Birmingham, who we don’t play. The gap is only 4 points with 45 points left to play for, It is in our hands, the question is whether we can show the consistency required to take it. Given our season to date, I can see why anyone would have their doubts. If I remember correctly we’ve gone on 2 horrific stretches this season, 1 win in 13 and 1 win in 9. Yet we still find ourselves only 4 points off. It’s fair to say the teams we are fighting against for the last spot haven’t been very consistent either.

Interestingly we ran further away at Stoke than any game this season. I think 4 at the back demands more running than 5 and we are building up fitness with each game. Fully agree that is we were fitter than the opposition every week our quality would shine through.

It’s a shame he picked Hamburg over us in the summer, think he wouldn’t make that choice given his time again and we would all be better off for it.

We are averaging 63.8 points over the season so far and that includes 2 big stretches where we only won 1 game. 70 plus points doesn’t feel beyond us if we can avoid going on a third shocking run. But can we?!

We’ve gone from worst save percentage to best. Yes he’s had a few shakey moments but he’s a huge upgrade on Bazunu.

Momentum is building, one handball away from 4 straight wins. Keeper that makes saves, 3 clean sheets in 4. Maybe, just maybe, we are finally going on a decent run that lasts. Fully agree we have left ourselves a mountain to climb, but I think we might just have the tools to climb it. To be 14th and only 4 points off the playoffs shows how crazy the league is. I’m not sure the teams we are competing against are that consistent either. February is a big month.

I thought the same, more of a presence but Stewart has a better touch. I think both give us different options for the CF positions, then we have Archer for games where there is space in behind. Will we miss Armstrong is the question that will take a while longer to answer but early signs are encouraging. That’s 2 games without him and both won.

There’s a lot of teams going for just the one place. Can we actually do it?!

Should be 0-1, thankfully they took a touch and Azaz saved us.

Could just be because he’s 4th choice in CM and we want a more attacking bench?

I like seeing a stable team selection with round pegs in round holes. Edozie back is interesting, we have lacked a spark coming off the bench. As for playoffs, we have lacked the consistency so far but we do have most of the teams in the hunt left to play and they will have to play each other. At this stage it’s not impossible but inconsistency to date doesn’t bring much in the way of confidence/expectation.

Admin going a bit OTT for this one.

Feels low considering, wonder if they can/will appeal to reduce further. As it stands they are now above the drop zone on GD.

Anyone seen what the option value is? I’ve not seen it reported anywhere yet

Sounds like he’s played out wide and in the 10 mostly when featuring for Feyenoord this season? Very limited mins. Fish out of water perhaps and lots of players do need a run in a team to get up to speed. If he can hold the ball up and allow our best 3 players to do their magic in the final third, it might just work out ok. Agree with the majority that it’s underwhelming when reviewing statistics and previous fans comments but will give him a chance to show he’s not useless. I recall the blooper reel for Onuachu and the worst hat trick ever scored but when playing to his strengths in a lesser league, he scores goals (see Turkey and Belgium compared to PL). Hopefully Larin can also perform efficiently at the lower level that is the championship. There are some limited big and strong forwards doing well this season.

Get oot.

Ruben Selles doing us a favour.

This must be the guy that has stalled meaning Archer stays?

Is this the 18yo CB we were linked with?