StrangelyBrown

Fucking clueless team selection and no change in the way we are playing since we conceded. RM really is a helmet sometimes

I'm not sure you can put Derby's downfall to simply getting relegated with the lowest points total - they were a club with financial problems that went through the very core of the club combined with woeful management at a club level.

I thought there were some positive signs today and we could easily have come away with a win if only Archer was playing with a bit of confidence. Lallana's role baffled me a bit - he clearly doesn't have the legs to cover yards he was expected to and gave the ball away cheaply a few times in deeper positions, but on the flip side gave us some much needed experience and creativity that we missed as soon as he went off. RM needs to work out how to fit him into the team so that he doesn't need to run around so much and can orchestrate things. The subs were my major frustration - why bring on players who have already fallen short this season to try and see out the game. Armstrong and BBD are nowhere near good enough. Aribo did nothing in the short time he was on the pitch. Archer and Stewart both look like they need some game time to build confidence, but the league is unforgiving and I suspect their confidence will be shot after today. Dibling and Fernandez both look quality - I just hope we'll get to enjoy them for longer than this season!

Archer looked the better player IMO - might have missed his 2 chances but all Delap did was fall over

Absolutely this. I thought we'd only get a point against Forest, but I hadn't really given them credit for their front 3 so with hindsight we were always going to struggle. The next few games should give us a few points, but let's see what happens....

I just wonder if anyone other than RM thinks he should be anywhere near the team... I'd be surprised if there was anyone to be honest

I'd be interested in seeing a poll of whether anyone thinks he's good enough for a starting place or not.

Really? While I don't believe that stats tell the whole story, the "end product" narrative that is thrown around on here doesn't stack up. Edozie was our 5th biggest contributor for goals and assists last season (6 goals and 3 assists) despite playing far less minutes than everyone else in the top 10 apart from David Brooks. His record was better than Ryan Frazers and yet Frazer got more playing time - was that because Frazer had better end product or because he was RMs mate??

2 games into a season we expected to struggle in against two established sides with decent premier league quality attackers and we've only lost by 1 goal in each game and yet it is doom and gloom again on here... Get a grip folks

Not sure about this. We're at the end of Howard Wilkinson's strategy to reset English football. Job done. Now we need a new strategy that creates a clear identity for English football and delivers on that. This is far deeper than simply the manager isnt good enough. We don't really have an identity other than making other teams play down to our level.

I can't, he hasn't been good for a couple of years now and is perpetually injured. He's also significantly overpaid. Literally makes no sense to me otherwise than nostalgia.

Fair play to Martin, he seems to be learning and adapting our approach now to the games ahead of us rather than religiously holding onto one way of playing. Hopefully he can keep learning as there is a steep learning curve ahead next season, but I think he's earned himself a bit of time from us all to get the team up to speed and learn what it takes to get results in the top flight.

Fantastic stuff. Incredibly stressful to watch, but gobsmacked how resolute we were in our defending. Russell Martin - all is forgiven. He seems to be learning and what a time to add pragmatism to his football playbook.

Everything that is good about Russball in one performance. St Mary's banging like never before. A great day to be a saint! COYR!!!!!!!

That could be the noddiest thing I've ever seen from the club. Do you get a free giant foam hand and a red and white wig to go with it?

Just checking that you really mean "exceptional" as in the same level as Rodri or Rice or maybe Camavinga? JWP is a better than average premier league player playing for a better than average premier league team. Nothing more, but still proven to be capable at a higher level than Downes. Perhaps you should think before calling people silly or laughable?

Completely agree, I just hope it isnt another saintsy glimmer of hope before yet more disappointment.

Hurrah we won the bottle jobs derby! Hopefully we can take some confidence into the playoffs.

Ha ha ha, he's shown a particular talent for slicing so I see where e you are coming from 😉

I think there's quite a few that would be ahead of him: Calum Davenport (as already mentioned), Ryan Smith, Paul Moody, Tommy forecast, Anthony pulis, ...). He's lazy, but he's got his work cut out to be Ali Dia bad...

Russell Martin will render the game completely pointless (at least for us)

He looked properly twitchy in the pre game presser - if he can't hide it there then unfortunately its bound to rub off on the players. I actually feel quite sorry for the guy - it must be awful to know you are out of your depth and be under enormous pressure to turn things around without a clue as to how to do so.

What a brilliant reaction this is. RM has really shown how incredible he is at quickly turning things around and stopping the rot. Simply incredible management, we're so lucky to have him going into the playoffs.

Please go RM - you're not up to the job. Putting JS on the field is clearly what we need FFS.

Same old shit different day. Is it a lack of bravery, scar tissue or just that dominating possession without testing the keeper doesn't really work? I can't see how this gets any better.