Saint Fan CaM

One things for sure, I’d rather keep Che than Tall Paul and that’s from a Che doubter.

Sometimes an average manager comes together with an average team and their sum is better than the equal parts, so magic is created. Such as it was for Rodgers and Leicester until time took its toll and so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rodgers fade away over time. Saints couldn’t keep hold of their decent managers and so a different type of decline occurred - bloated squad and ever decreasing poor managerial appointments. Ultimately both clubs faced the harsh truth of poor tactical leadership in the face of unrelenting financial pressure in the EPL. Both clubs have now got hugely important decisions to get right in the next managerial appointment. It will be fascinating to compare the outcome of the appointments in terms of player trading, adopted playing style and the results over the coming season.

I wonder which Prem club is looking for a pre-season friendly against a soft Championship team to get their strikers used to firing on all cylinders? Softie Saints always a good bet to bag a few goals and come off unscathed without injuries.

Yes agree with this to an extent, but I think fans will be a bit less accepting of a third failing manager being appointed, especially if we find our team bottom of the table after three games for example. The tolerance levels are historically low right now I reckon. Everyone is hoping Martin and a new look squad will tear up the Championship - personally I think there will a rude awakening for many as we’ll struggle to adapt and another season of failure, changing management etc will ensure an even more toxic atmosphere in SMS.

The difference is there’s only one player in that group prepared to get stuck in and tackle, rather than stand-off and watch opposition players stroll past. Guess which one?!

Nothing wrong with data and statistics - it’s how it’s interpreted and used and by who…that’s the issue. It’s no good giving stress analysis data for a bridge construction project to a baker…you’ll end up with a fucked up bridge. Same with football…give a bunch of data to a non-football man like Rasmus and he’ll end up relegating the club. What I’m saying is, perhaps this is a smarter move than it initially looks…get a football stats man in to analyse the data and make decent INFORMED decisions.

I just don’t think he fits with the style of play or tactics Martin will employ…too immobile, although he can see a good pass now and again. One things for sure, there appears to be a lot goals scored in the Championship (I’m sure some stato will correct me if I’m wrong), so chancing our arm on a striker who has lost his way seems a big risk. Despite all of this, we’ll probably end up keeping him another season to ‘replace’ the departing Che.

Tella?

Interesting that they talk about a deadline…I wasn’t aware of one???

Some would say JWP circa 2022/3.

I think the issue with him is that his best qualities don’t match the style of play Martin and Wilcox want to bring about…he’s all about running at defences rather than controlling the ball and releasing it to a teammate. Don’t know, but reckon his pass completion stats and his assists are low so that alone would rule him out.

Perhaps there’s a cunning plan to place the new Northam screen in front of the away supporters? 😘

He’s an easy one to dismiss and forget as he had so few chances under Jones and Selles, however we’ll be hard pushed to get a player with his trickery in the Championship and may look back and appreciate him more. Having said that, he’s been around the club for a long time and it could be said he’s an integral part of the malaise the club finds itself in. And now we’ve got some young and hungry attacking talent coming through, it’s best for both parties for him to move on.

Err, hang on. All 'real rumours' are essentially made up bullshit right?!? If they were not they'd be facts! 🤣

Obviously 17th, but there would still be three teams below them in the table. For Saints to move out of the RZ (by having three teams below them) they would have to better Everton's result.

Actually 36 with a better GD of -23 to clear the relegation zone shown.

Tella has to be valued at £20m + surely?

Totally agree - going into the season with those choices would be a disaster. Also, no mention of Stephens (coming back or sale to Bournemouth?) or our existing CB’s - can’t imagine ABK, Salisu or Bednarek wanting to stay, leaving just Lyanco so a big re-build of our defence and that’s another good reason to ensure DM positions are up to the job.

Well I hope they’re working hard and fast to get everything in place sooner rather than later. If it’s as massive a re-build as this suggests (including a completely new coaching team), a long pre-season and meaningful friendlies will be essential to get the team firing on all cylinders and with leaders being established in the team. Actually I don’t think such a big re-build is a bad thing given that we need a team better than last seasons to mount a credible push for promotion. It’s just a significant risk and getting it wrong could put us in an even worse position. It also reminds me a bit of the position the club found itself in the Lowe era when we went down…relying on youngsters…but let’s hope not.

I’ve not read the Athletic article, but why do you think their account of a big firesale is correct? Are there specific quotes from anyone of authority in the club to substantiate the claim? From what I have read, SR have publicly stated that an immediate push for promotion is a primary objective, so I’m not sure the two positions entirely align. Sure there will be a few departures (AMN, Theo, Ely) and maybe one or two bigger name sales (e.g. JWP, Lavia), but that’s not really a firesale.

If I was to buy this I would hate to have that lump of plastic that’s the sponsor logo on my chest/stomach…feels and looks terrible. Just wish they’d offer supporters the opportunity to purchase without it. Which is why I’ll not be buying it.

If that’s true then it seems certain that all three parties expect him to remain at Burnley and let’s face it, he must think he’s totally earnt the opportunity to continue his form in the Prem. Can’t say we ever utilised him in a manner that worked for him or us and it’s debatable whether the new regime would do that either. A front four of Tella, Sully, Alcarez and Che would be a mouth watering prospect in the Championship providing the proper coaching and system is in place, however I think Tella has been in more of a Che role?

Physio? You were lucky! Our Dad used to let us suck ants juice for half-time refreshment, hit us round head as a motivator and use motor oil to grease us up before using tractor tyres to roll out the knots in our puny muscles! And the kids nowadays think they’ve got it tough! Oh yeah, the Pythons live on!!! 🤣

Fantastic. Think the guy will end up a legend at Saints. Err, hang on, that should read leg end. 😉😝

Just seen that EPL AGM is set for 14th June and that’s when we get officially relegated and join Championship. Russell appointment will happen after that reportedly, so quite a way to go yet, unless they manage to reach an interim agreement.