goodymatt

Second Tier Podcast predicting a WBA win in 90 mins. Par for the course really as they have been consistent in not favouring Saints on our big games and have a hard-on for Corberan.

You’d hope the pressure of the occasion wouldn’t be influenced negatively by strong support. I’d expect the bigger impact might be on the WBA team.

Postman just delivered my tickets, what a guy.

Just called the ticket office and they advised that all tickets were sent out by yesterday, should arrive by Thursday. If not it’s a reprint and collect at the ticket office on Friday plan B.

Ordered my tickets last Tuesday. There wasn’t an e-ticket option, only post. Not received my tickets yet. Anyone else still waiting? Not sure why e-tickets weren’t used like normal home games.

I thought we actually edged it on decent chances: KWP pulling his shot wide, Downes chance that fell to Armstrong that went just wide and Ross Stewart’s deflection WBA had Diangana header and the cut back that was straight at McCarthy. XG was 0.80 - 1.07. That reaction save to the deflection from Stewart’s shot was easily the save of the game for me. Overall, 0-0 is a decent result. In our hands at home on Friday. Can’t wait.

Well I’m feeling a tad nervous this morning. Come on you Saints! 😇🙏

If Che isn’t starting it’s a huge blow. Ross isn’t ready to start and the alternatives are not good enough. Guess we will find out tomorrow but if he’s not been in full training then it seems very likely he’s not in the squad at all.

Martin confirmed in his pre match presser (part 2) that we have been practicing penalties for quite some time now and will continue to do so. Just to put that earlier argument to bed. Also took the team and management out for a meal after Warnock recommended it on Sky.

https://x.com/talksport/status/1787829272649802019?s=46&t=7raSKCMt6LV8RJ1C2d39WQ Liam Rosenior sacked by Hull

Clear foul on Downes edge of the box, not given. You worry about challenges like that, we do not need him injured

Another issue in the past has been home vs away tickets counting or not counting. As a Northern based Saint I might only get to 2 home games a season but usually make 8-10 away games minimum. I remember for the Wembley EFL Cup final, people who had bought 3 home tickets all season had priority over my 12 games total. Tickets all sold out and I missed the boat. Fortunately the club later released another small batch (returned by players families I think) and let the away games count for those (after a few had kicked off about it), so I did eventually get a ticket. Be interesting to see how they manage tickets for Wembley this time, should we get there. Home leg tickets for the playoffs doesn’t really prioritise us season long Saints Plus members and it could have also prioritised those who have attended more than just the one game but I’m hoping I will get a ticket on Tuesday morning’s rat race.

Looking forward to seeing Ross Stewart play at some point tomorrow. Didn’t see too much of him in his 2 little cameos before injury. If he’s actually fit for these upcoming playoff games he may be a useful option as he is an out and out CF and we have nobody else that fits that criteria. Interesting debate on the team selection. I’d agree with the half way house approach that Martin alluded to in his presser. Give all key players some managed minutes. Lock Downes up in a padded cell so he can’t hurt himself until next Sunday. KWP would be the other one I might leave out altogether, not been as good since his return from injury and the rest might be helpful. The worry about momentum going into the playoffs is a reasonable one. Other than Huddersfield, there aren’t many examples of teams going into the playoffs and winning them after losing 3 or 4 on the bounce. They did that without scoring a goal themselves too. Leeds have to get the job done tomorrow so I expect it will be a defeat for us. 3-1 Leeds.

Ipswich’s 2nd goal was offside for me

Brooks isn’t very good, is he?

Both should have nothing to play for against Leicester but we can hope!

Leicester got very lucky there, WBA missed so many big chances. Can’t see us catching them now

I’m glad I made the 440 mile round trip at the weekend, that 99th minute winner was worth it! Absolute limbs and my voice was ruined until today. Agree we only played well for 30 mins and didn’t deserve the win over the course of the game. Poetic justice if it was a handball (not 100% clear on replays) given their Doucoure goal in 2018 and their late equaliser earlier this season.

I hope we can handle the pressure and not drop any points before we play Leicester. One game at a time and keep piling the pressure on those above us. It still feels unlikely we will win 7 on the bounce and take a top 2 spot but it is the best time to finally register a winning streak like that. What a way to go up that would be. I’m going 1-0 Saints tonight, very scrappy game but we just about get the job done. Every game just feels massive at the moment. Up the Saints 😇

Games coming thick and fast, need to keep this winning momentum going. Midweek results make our recent dropped points really hit home but all we can do now is keep winning and see where that takes us. Watford haven’t lost in 5 games now and have solid draws against Leeds, WBA and Ipswich. This won’t be any easy game. Looking forward to travelling down from up north to watch this one. 2-1 Saints.

Stu Armstrong has concussion, will be tested before Tuesday night’s game but will miss Blackburn. Martin has had a haircut, which he always does when the wheels have fallen off. He made a comment about one of our fans having a go again. Why does he feel the need to address that? Wilcox going will affect him and his team most he thinks but wishes him all the best. i agree with Martin that we should have got 6 points over Easter but we didn’t and that’s the difference between us and the top 3, we aren’t ruthless enough and are too soft.

I‘m going to this one but worry it will be a bit of a nothing game now we are out of the auto hunt. Hopefully we use these next 8 games to get a settled side and positive momentum. It would be nice to stop averaging 2 goals a game against, as per the recent run. I think Bazunu has the 2nd worst save % in the league and has conceded 11.9 goals more than expected (for context our expected goals should be the 3rd least in the league!). For me that is the main reason why we aren’t going up automatically. Our best 2 CBs are both top 10 in the stats as well. Yes a fit and firing Ross Stewart may have covered that more but we have scored in all but 2 league games and have the 2nd top scorer in the league.

Never a red

Bottoms up!

I’ve seen nothing over the last couple of months that suggests we can go away to the top 3 and get the 9 points needed for automatic promotion. It’s the playoffs for sure. Would love to be proven wrong but being realistic.