bugenhagen

Just back from injury, so it was not clear before the match if he was ready to start, or if he was coming on from the bench. So in no way out of the team, just not 100% ready to start. Still possible they might consider selling him in January, but he might have played some good games in the CL by then, and therefore have a different price and class of clubs chasing him.

I actually felt a chill down my spine watching the "explosive" reaction that happens a fraction (or two, or three or four) too late, and it makes the clip look like it has been edited, but no - that is indeed vintage Baz. I am so happy I don't have to watch him ever again in a Saints shirt!

Neither did Baz...

Where is Eric Black? 😉 But seriously, the game management was annoying last season too - it's just that the players coming on now is not bringing anything to the game this time, when the subs made us better, or closer to equal last season.

Yeah, he was well off it today again. Marking air in a lot of dangerous situations. Lincoln had a break at the end where he left Manning to mark two players, as he was doing som zonal defending marking fuck all! Something is wrong with him. It is worse than usual this season.

Every sub made us weaker. This is the difference from last season. No chanche of competing for the autos with this squad. Luckily there are more playoff places.

Stephens just watching the ball, backing of... ffs... he does not look up for a fight today, just stays a little off most duels

I never said a loaning club would.

That would probably still be the ballpark figure he would be looking for in wages in a new club.

I agree, but we want (and need) them to come good sooner rather than later. I think Dobbin has looked low on confidence after a decent pre-season, Mubama looks a little more like he thinks he is good enough.

We all would like two equally good players in every position, but to answer your question, Mubama and Dobbin. Not up to it so far, but lets give them a little more time. Who was pushing Leo and Azaz last season?

Stewart struggled to lead the line on a few occations last season, even Larin did once or twice... Think we need to see more from him, but he probably can't do it in the same way that Larin does - but there is more to his game than when we had Arma or Archer as the lone striker. I would think that Tonda has an idea of how he wants Mubama to work up top, even if it means that we have to play a little different than when we have Larin.

Nah, that would be Mubama. The Prince is the backup to the backup 😉

Yeah, but seeing as Azaz plays almost every minute of every match when fit, he is probably not just the Azaz alternative. They probably see him playing in several roles, and have probably sold him on that idea, even though Preston fans say he is shit as anything other than 10…

Pretty normal that he has been left out so far. Tonda said earlier in the season that Baz and Ramsdale had been told that Peretz and Long would be prioritised as the two other were expected to leave. If Ramsdale is still here when every other window also has slammed shut, he will probably be reintegrated. If he is still not number two after that, it may be because of a hefty bonus upon being named in the match day squad.

That might be who I was thinking of, as Master Bates confirmed that Dibaga played last week.

Pretty sure I heard somewhere that he has a long term injury. Can’t remember where, but it was earlier in the summer when he was not included in the preseason. No idea how long he is out for or what sort of injury. Probably pretty far off being any sort of squad option this season.

I actually think we are stronger in the striker position if Larin gets injured. Had Stewart been our backup, he would have broken down soon after, or just been able to play limited minutes/start every other game. I would love to have enough good players in every position that we can suffer injuries to Larin, Peretz, Downes, Leo, Finn etc - but that won't happen. I would guess that Tonda is pretty happy with the squad, both in terms of size and backup.

Still, I think you will see that he will end up being just that (not comparing attributes, just one out, one in)

To be honest: Pretty close to what I was expecting. Expected us to sell Charles and THB all along, based on Dragans comments. Replaced by JWP and Schlotterbeck, and Mubama replacing Stewart. Keeping Jander and Leo was not given, but I had hopes we would. Getting another good CB would be great, but above my expectations.

If he saw it, he might have just seen it as to players colliding, and therefore let the play go on. He might not have seen the two heads hitting each other. There is still an element of subjective understanding of a situation, and then applying the rules to that. Not as black and white as "the rule states..." I liked his way of appliying the rulebook all through the game.

Love watching him play, and the fact that he can play 90 min every match is also a great strenght.

Have to admit, I did not think he would drop Stephens, but so good to see that you will be dropped after a performance like the last one (or last ones). It sends an important signal - and it means we have competition for places, and if you are not consistently on the top of your game, you are out