WALK DMC

One of my frustrations has been the rigid adherence to a 4-3-3 formation from Martin regardless of the match situation. Why not use the last two games to experiment with a different formation, which can be utilised in the playoffs ? I've seen other teams change formation during a game many times, so not sure why this is never considered. With Martin wanting to play Stephens, why not try out 3-5-2, it would make us less predictable and probably stronger defensively. I'd much rather try our a few different formations than flood the team with youngsters. Something like McCarthy THB Jan B Stephens KWP Charles Aribo Smallbone Manning Adams Armstrong It might fail, but at least it wouldn't hurt to try and if it works it would give us another option if we're hanging onto a single goal lead in the playoffs. There are other options too; 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Let's look at these two final games as a big opportunity to experiment with our tactics and see how it works out. I reckon that we have the players to adapt to these different formations. For the next two games, we have little to lose.

I was in the pub with a Chelsea fan before the game. He said that Lavia has only managed 13 minutes this season. How I'm glad that we didn't keep him, even with Saints he seemed to be injury prone.

I thought he was great in the first half, but didn't have the same impact in the 2nd. I wasn't sure whether he ran out of steam or if Liverpool's tactics after HT nullified him. I think that he had to do a load more running than usual when we have most of the possession.

While there is understandably a lot of focus on the loss of Downes yesterday, we lost the match because we couldn't create enough decent chances against a poor Millwall team. People have criticised Sulemana, but I thought he made some good runs and created our only big 2nd half chance to equalise (Adama header). I was more disappointed with Brookes and Edozie who had most of the game to make a difference. Edozie in particular is a frustrating player, he can beat his full back, but then makes a feeble cross which invariably is cleared by the first defender. Undoubtedly he has talent and is still young enough to develop into a very decent footballer, but at the moment he flatters to deceive. I've had a feeling for a while that even when his performances are ok, as a team we don't play as well. He likes the ball to feet so doesn't make as the same type of runs that Frazer does or have the same direct style which creates space for others. I don't think it is entirely coincidental that he started (or came on early) for the 3 recent defeats, but didn't for the WBA game. I certainly hope that Frazer isn't out injured for long.

But Brooks is cup-tied, so isn't an option for the Watford game ......

I agree, but ........ it isn't me or you who picks the team. Martin seems to have a preference for playing left footers on the right and vice-versa. Armstrong A is the exception to that. Also, we have an abundance of riches on the left with Edozi/Sulemana/Frazer competing for that position. It isn't the same on the right where it now looks as though either Adam A or Brooks will be the first choices.

As Fraser plays on the left and Brooks on the right, I think that it's unlikely that Russell considers those two as interchangeable, unless left with little choice. I'd have thought that it is more likely that in the cup he'll start Edozie on the left and one of the young lads on the right( SAA or Dibling). From next Saturday, we have 5 championship games in 15 days, a game every 3 days which will be critical to our season, I think that is when he will be forced to rotate players (and positions). Che wasn't great yesterday, so at some point in that 5 game run, I'd be surprised if A Armstrong doesn't go up top and Brooks will go right. Obviously, issues such as injury and suspension could mean significant changes to our recent "top" eleven and will probably force his hand to a degree. I'm started to worry every time KWP or our centre halves go in for a tackle, as that is where we could potentially have a lack of cover.

I agree. Che is currently 15th in the Championship leading scorers, but on goals per minute he is 5th (better than Adam A). This is a very solid performance (which often sums Che up) and it would be a major risk trying to get a replacement who would be guaranteed to make the same contribution. Keep him if we can.

The great thing about squad depth is that we don't need to make hard and fast decisions on who is on the bench. For example, while Bree remains injured having Holgate on the bench would give us cover for KWP/Manning at full back. Either way, we have 8 games in 29 days coming up, we'll be hit by injuries, suspensions, loss of form and the need to rest certain players. Having this depth will allow us to adapt to whatever is thrown at us i the coming month.

"win this match comfortably" is an interesting quote, because it is the one thing that Saints haven't done in any of their away games this season. Our away record is pretty good: 6-5-2 (WDL). Goal difference is zero. However we have yet to win an away game by more than 1 goal. At no point in the 1200 minutes played away from this season, has there been a moment when were leading by 2 goals, even though in most matches we have been dominating the game. Something isn't quite working and it is why I don't share your confidence in a comfortable win. Some of the same observations could have been made about our home form 3 months ago, but that has changed and it is a pleasure to watch them at St Marys at the moment. So on an optimistic note, RM was able to transform our home form, can he do the same away ? With 4 of the next 5 league games away from home, I suspect that we're about to find out the answer to that last question in the next month. Fingers crossed you're right about comfortable wins ......

I wouldn't disagree with a lot of the criticisms voiced on this thread. He has much to prove and we have only seen brief flashes of potential. He appears to have some good attributes such as athleticism, but needs to perform more consistently. The main reason for any optimism is his age. He is only 21 and plenty of players have taken a lot longer to develop. Just look down the south coast at Solanke. Up to the age of 23 he made 63 appearances for Liverpool and Bournemouth and only contributed 4 goals. It's only been in recent years that he is hit his stride and this is the first season that he has really done it in the Premiership. He will be 27 years old later this year. Pelle and Ricky Lambert didn't really hit their stride until their mid to late 20s. So I wouldn't write him off yet. However the next 4-5 months are key, he needs to establish himself (at least) as the man on the bench we turn to when we are desperate for a goal, rather than his current role as a player only trusted to come on when we're coasting 3-0.

That's only part of the problem. I think we have yet to be leading by more than a single goal at any point in any away game this season ? I believe that it is now nearly 3 years (March 2021) since we have won an away league game by more than a single goal. The brilliant home form (& results) has distracted from our away performances. We need to sort that out.

Totally agree. I still think the Che funds (probably £3-5m or a loan fee) could be used to sign a loan replacement such as Ings. If it were linked to appearances/promotion it would be a relatively low risk and provide further striker cover as Stewart's injuries and his time to get up to speed are likely to limit his contribution. I acknowledge that having two forwards (Stewart and Ings) who have an injury background is a risk, but I'd take the risk for a proven goal-scorer (Ings or other).

I agree with pretty much agree with everything you say, but I didn't recall his last season being "very poor", just disrupted by Covid. I don't trust my old memory these days, so had to check the stats, which aren't too bad; 12 goals in 29 games. When you compare it with Che last season, (5 from 28) it is still pretty acceptable. Either way, he clearly peaked the previous season (19-20) when he scored 22 from 38 and it has been a downward spiral since then. I still think that he could do a job in the championship. In the first half v Coventry, Adam Armstrong was sent through by Che. Unfortunately he took too much time and a defender robbed him of the ball. I remember thinking at the time, if that were Ings, we'd all be celebrating a goal now (even with his recent decline). If the price was right, I'd take a punt on Danny, I think that his ability to find space in the box and finish would add a weapon that we don't currently possess.

Really interesting next 3 games, that could give the strongest indication yet of the likelihood of promotion this season. Each game is tricky. Watford - only lost once in last 9 games. And score a lot of goals at home. Coventry - having a poor season compared to last, but have only lost once at home Blackburn - strong away form, only Leicester have won more. Really impressed with the performance against Cardiff. The diamond formation including Charles really suited our play and for the 2nd half v Bristol C. Slightly worried that injuries could start to be an issue with having to play 7 games before 2nd Jan, but this is the most optimistic that I have been all season. If we get 9 points from those three, I may start to believe that automatic promotion is a strong possibility. Although if you offered me 2 wins and a draw for these 3 games, I'd bite your hand off.

As a season ticket holder who was there last night and travels 200 miles every home game I don't think that I qualify as a "home keyboard fanatic". Judging from the people around me at the game, my personal WhatsApp groups and even this magnificent forum I can honestly say that the vast majority in this cross section of supporters are not happy with performances at the moment. Of course, I was delighted we got the win last night, but the worry for many of us is: We cannot rely on individual pieces of brilliance to win every game Other than the Leeds game and possibly Birmingham there have not been any truly satisfying performances There is a feeling that RM isn't getting the most out of the quality at his disposal Winning by a single goal each match will not sustain you through a season, see Huddersfield game as an example when we try to rely on a single goal If we cannot easily beat lower to mid table Championship teams, how are we going to make the leap to Premier survival next season without incredible amounts of investment ? And for the above I "flaming well care" because this is such an important season, as if we fail to get promoted many of the best starters from last night will not be with us next season. So yes, I think that we need to look further than the 90 minutes last night and until we have a run of satisfying performances with 2 or 3 goal victories many of us will doubt whether we can sustain the push for promotion.

Since February 2022, Saints have only won 1 league game by more than a single goal (Leeds 3-1). We really seem to have forgotten how to put a team to the sword. Like you, I am concerned that winning by a single goal isn't sustainable.

Feb 21 - we lost 6 consecutive games. It included the 9-0 v Man U. Within that same run we lost 12 out of 15.

I reckon he has two things which may help protect him in the short term: 1. SR seemed surprised at the depth of feeling against Nathan Jones, so may not yet feel the fan pressure to do something about RM. 2. More importantly, if SR are to fire RM, it will mean that they are saying to the fans that they have mucked up (again). I think that the loss in pride that this would entail will mean that they'll put it off until they really have to. I give it until Christmas if we're in the bottom 3rd of the division.

Wouldn't it be nice to win a game by more than a single goal ? I believe that it is over 18 months since we achieved that in the league (Norwich 2-0 25th Feb 2022). Not sure if this is the game for that, but wouldn't it be great to be coasting after 90 mins and being 3-0 up ..... I can barely remember what that feels like.

I'm pretty happy with the squad of players that we have; sure there are weaknesses, but I think that most managers would be happy with the level of quality for a promotion push in the championship. If we're not in the top 6 most of the season I think the finger of blame will be pointed firmly in the direction of RM. I hope that isn't the case, but I don't believe further investments will suddenly transform his tactics. While Holgate was rubbish, I still feel that the fundamental issue is the midfield which is too attacking and leaves us exposed time and time again. Put Downes and Charles as defensive midfielders (4-2-3-1) and I think that we'd bring far more stability to our play.

I think that he can also play left back. Maybe they don't have confidence in Larios to act as cover for Manning.

Against QPR & Sheff W, Adam Armstrong played up front and he made no impression on the game. When he played behind his performance improved enormously. However, when he scored 28 goals for Blackburn in the Championship he played up front, so I wouldn't (yet) dismiss his ability to play there. I certainly don't think that it works when the opponents play a low block which neutralises his pace and lack of physical presence. It may yet work in games where the opposition have more of the ball and leave more space at the back (i.e. against better teams, away from home). I'm not convinced, but think that it could still work on a selective basis.

The season before he spent half a season at Cardiff and was voted their player of the year (only played 22 games ...). Would be nice to get him as cover for KWP this season, so he could step up next summer if KWP departs.

I agree, and he could also act as cover at centre half, even if he would be 4th in the pecking order. Jack Stephens has already had 3 bookings, the squad needs to have adequate cover.