Badger

As said on an earlier thread, I don’t think RM can be criticised for publicly supporting his players (incl Bazunu at the start of the season). I was a bit surprised he publicly criticised him after the Ipswich game. Whether he privately and firmly believes that guff though is a different matter, he can’t’ - or at least shouldn’t - be blind to the GK’s failings. You’d hope the role of scouts is to look at improving all positions (not just GK).

For a club that used to pride itself on its Academy and young talent we seem to have a blind spot in bringing through GK’s. The last one I recall making an impact and looking like a prospect was Gerry Gurr. In about 1969.

Most fans see it, but not it seems RM or those responsible for recruitment. But in RM’s defence he has pretty limited options to choose from.

With a fully striped back as well I hope.

Is this one of the fabled Saintsweb traditions of a players ability and worth improving by the week when unavailable or not selected? From the times I’ve seen him, he’s looked distinctly average at best. Always seemed caught in the paradox of needing minutes on the pitch to develop, but having not really done enough to justify selection.

Does the capacity remain the same once safe standing is introduced? It was always said at The Dell that seats took up more space than that needed to stand in. Does the reverse apply ?

I don’t remember which manager it was who said it, but I recall one saying that regular games and fixture pile up aren’t a problem when you’re winning as players can’t wait to get back on the pitch. Different story when you’re not winning.

Go up or stay down, there are bound to be a couple of outstanding youngsters with potential to be picked up from Man City. But please, not another GK. This a route taken before Wilcox arrived so don’t see it going completely with his departure.

WBA away ( but obviously not at St Mary’s)

Watford away, piss poor finishing, and a Bazunu special at the end.

Struggling to see it. I think his ‘angled slide rule pass’ v Leeds (August 2022) is up there with, possibly overtaking, the Gaston Ramirez second half v Villa as flattering to deceive and clouding judgement.

Relish the prospect of him facing five or more penalties in the play offs. ( Although he did save one from Ronaldo once upon a time. Thought I’d add that before an MLG type Statto threw it in there). I recall Gunn’s bellyflops against Derby in the FA Cup Replay. Another great City prospect of course.

Surely Dibling is worth an occasional run out before Mara ?

Stay down, we need a GK. Surely Spurs or someone can see the obvious potential in this young GK of ours and offer us £25m ( or even what we paid for him). Or were our recruitment team the only ones who see this ?

True that it has coincided with the Premier League and untold greed that goes with it but I think the internet has been the big change in how matters are communicated,built up, and then things organised around . Interesting you mention Branfoot, and you’re right that he was the first Saints manager to be subject to a bit of a campaign. Although Fanzines started towards the end of Chris Nichol’s time and he came under a bit of scrutiny it seemed lighthearted as the fanzines were just finding their feet, perhaps nervous in gradually exploring how far they could push boundaries. Branfoot was the first manager (of ours anyway) to be featured and vilified by the fanzines and I think this made a huge difference in the feelings and eventual ‘campaign’ against him.

Don’t get too high when we win, or too low when we lose. Always prepare for the unexpected- Sun Tzu, Art of War. It’s as simple as that. Adkins knew how to motivate a promotion winning squad ( or keep the supporters motivated and positive at least). Anyway I’ll draw a blue line under this and celebrate three points to cement our eventual third or fourth place finish. Perhaps dream of automatics.

No CN’s start was as I recall pretty average, but that was expected after Lawrie left and fans were quite supportive of him ( and the challenge he faced ) His problems were a year or so later when he had a fall out with Mark Dennis, then again during a 20 or so game run without a win 88/89 I think (but would have to check).

No, not on the same scale by any means. Lawrie for example faced some flak walking to the dug out after relegation and a poor faltering start to life in Division 2. But that was on match days from a minority . Chris Nichol the same. Neither though had to contend with the hysteria that is now built up by social media

Enzo less popular there than RM with us at the moment it seems. ( Taken last night).

Perhaps Smallbone has a copyright on that particular label on here

Pleased it’s worked out for him. He’s done a good job in difficult circumstances. Trouble for Reading is that after one decent season he probably feels ready for ‘the next level’ and a mid-table Championship or a more ambitious and financially secure L1 club will take a punt on him.

R/W quarters, or r/w halves would be fine by me for a change. Then keep the sash for anniversary years ( hope to still be breathing for our 150th year in 2035.)

Starting as favourites or 2nd favourites counts for fuck all though. For a club that seldom lives up to expectations (after they raise them) I won’t get hopes up on being favourites before a ball is kicked

I don’t think you can criticise a manager for publicly backing his players, especially a young one at the beginning of the season. As for ‘binning’ Bazunu, yes he could but when the immediate options available to him are Lumley (look at the stats for his previous season) and McCarthy , it isn’t great.

Fair point to some degree, but the stripes are also historically ‘ours’ as well. I’d rather that than a copy of another clubs style be it plain red shirts with or without white sleeves. The all red kits under Cortese just didn’t feel like Saints in my view. (Await the MLG view on ‘tradition’ etc).