Saint Fan CaM

Yep, another example of Labour lies and waste. Absolute f-ing fraudsters.

Words - nothing more. Starmer is a champion at saying one thing and not delivering in reality - I have precisely zero confidence in him or the French police.

I find myself torn somewhat by this argument. On the one hand, I believe that there is huge waste and unfairness in the benefits system - it’s needs overhaul and frankly it’s unsustainable if the UK is to wrestle itself from the doom loop we’re heading into. There are drains on the system that are unsustainable, however I don’t see SOG’s case as one that would contribute unfairly to this position potentially. He’s paid his NI presumably for the required number of years and in his time of need the system has failed for him and his Wife, when what was needed was more granularity to means assessment (i.e. if the intention was to only require assistance for say 6 months while his Wife found new work, then that could be agreed up front and therefore an endless benefit claim averted. What he got was not a means test - it was a blank and terminal “no”. The fact of the matter is that Government systems are terribly antiquated. They don’t work for the people they are employed to serve and consequently administrative costs have sky-rocketed. For example, I know from recent personal experience that HMRC systems are blighted with problems and complaint management is months behind, all because their software algorithms are terribly outdated. Unfortunately Labour ultimately have no power or will to stop the waste and inequality in the benefits system and that’s mostly driven by the Trade Unions protecting things like the unfair State-funded employee final salary pensions (most private sector employees don’t get those benefits now) and back-benchers afraid of losing their seats. And the tragedy is that the other established opposition parties won’t deal with it either (the Tory’s failed after 14 years).

Mmm, hoping that the news of Scienza not playing is just mind games because he is the conduit for so much of our new found attacking flair. Having said that, I have confidence that if he is out, Tonda will be able to devise a winning formula with the players at his disposal. Having Romeu alongside Jander will be massive…he will not allow our midfield and defence to be bullied. Still sticking with a 1-2 scoreline.

Can’t see anything other than a win and Eckhert sealing his claim on the top job. This despite Millwall being a difficult opponent. It will not be as convincing as the last two games though and I suspect the officials being a bit shit will influence matters. 1-2 Saints.

Didn’t manage to watch the game sadly, but I did say that I was convinced Eckhert was capable of getting a win or draw. It was pretty clear to me from after his 2nd win that he knew how to get the best from the players, so I’m not surprised by the score. Delighted we got a clean sheet. Spors has to give the job to Eckhert now - what more can the guy do to convince anyone that he’s the real deal?! It would be sheer lunacy not to give it to him FFS!

Called it. Eckhert’s the real deal.

Zzzzzz….

Exactly this. No one has the right to expect back to back wins for the remainder of the season - but what Eckhert has done is restore HOPE…we at least go into the game against Leicester thinking we could win. It’s seems like an age since I last felt that and for your average footie fan perhaps that’s good enough (or it should be).

My view is if we don’t get at least four points from the next two games, it’s indicative of players not following instructions or just falling to bits…or perhaps the opposing team being better than us (but I doubt that). I genuinely think Eckhert has what it takes to coach/orchestrate wins.

Don’t think Bragg is as ‘novice’ as some are thinking - he was known to Eckhert already from the U-21’s and I suspect he’s been brought into the first team because he knows exactly what Eckhert wants from him and the Manager knows he can deliver it. I think he’ll be starting more games than not if he stays fit and we’ll see Romeu come on as his replacement as an enforcer to see out games.

I think the only question left is do they offer him the role until the end of the season with an option to extend, or do they give him a three year contract?

6 points deduction would be nice though right? Means we effectively get 9 points against them when we win! 😉

The more I think about the game, the more I truly believe Eckhert absolutely schooled Jones. He knew exactly how Jones was going to set up his team and knew exactly how best to utilise our players to achieve a result, although I doubt even he could have expected such a fantastic result. Recognising that AA’s experience and ability could be utilised by dropping back and feeding others was a stroke of genius. Faster transition of the ball forwards was something we’ve been crying out for but thought the players were not capable of - they clearly are but needed the coaching to unlock that ability. Tuesdays game will be telling, but my money is on Eckhert finding a way for us to win or at the very least draw.

Agreed. As many managers have said, you cannot be on the pitch coaching the players - you have to rely on players having the sense to do the right thing. In Stephens you have a player that is barely capable of operating at this level, let alone marshalling a defence. It makes you question why bother having three CB’s when aerially they are overrun and out muscled by an opposing set piece. And then the question of Baz and his positional sense, which in the case of their goal was not the best, but it’s a constant weakness for him. Would McCarthy have been better? Difficult to say - probably not, but I do believe his positional sense and save potential is better than Baz’s. Would Rambo have done better? I would say there’s a 10% chance he would have either chosen to come for the ball and clattered the defender or been closer to his near post and made a save. Sometimes those small %’s make a big difference and indeed win games. I’ll end with a question. If the score at that point was either 1-0 or 1-1, do think we’d have scored 5 to win? I don’t.