Saint Fan CaM

Personally I think this is another must win game, however Villa look confident and gaining ground in mid table where we normally would be. There’s a reason for that and it’s all to do with the persistence in a failing system. Given the new additions and hopefully a striker this week, Jones may be able to lift the players once again and achieve another win. Lose and relegation will be in the minds of many again, although its so tight at the moment in the bottom six. The upcoming cup games will hopefully not be a distraction that costs us. I’m going 1-1, but hoping 2-0 to start addressing the GD.

Mmm, sorry but disagree. His corners always have same trajectory - high and looping up so easy for keepers and defenders to adjust to. I do agree we’ve not got enough intelligent movement in the box though…i.e. nobody arriving late to meet the ball. Not saying take him off all corners, but mixing it up like we did when Redmond was around might not be a bad thing, particularly as it gives JWP the chance to get on 2nd balls on the edge of the box.

JWP is a bit of an enigma to me. He’s definitely better in a more forward midfield role, but he’s not a natural ball carrier. His corners are not really effective (why persist…mix it up?), but of course he’s one of the best dead ball free kick specialists in the Prem. Under Jones I think he’s becoming more of a leader, but sometimes still comes across as an educated son-in-law (which might be a good thing?). He’s definitely one of our better senior players and his loyalty to the club is commendable, but is he a ‘luxury player’? No, not based on his goal return which we’ve desperately needed, but this season really is a defining one for the lad IMO.

I think I’ve done that, but to be fair we needed JWP to save the day again. I’m not so certain NJ got it right although I suspect he’ll claim full credit.

Couldn’t have gone any better really. Even so, not sure I agree with the initial team list…think the front line was bizarre given the result in the week, but at least it was changed. Now - SR - get us a striker very soon FFS!

Great finish from JWP!

Everton all over us. We’re losing this unless Jones changes thing’s urgently.

Jones you idiot - why change a winning side? Players don’t seem to know their jobs - KWP looks less assured on the left.

And this is one of the things that concerned me with Jones - another tinker man, demotivating players that do an outstanding job. I hope he gets flamed if we lose today, but equally congrats if he’s right and we get a win.

A win is so crucial to keep a continuity going - currently more chance than a result against Villa too I feel. However not a happy hunting ground for us, so everything once again will need to click. But that’s where we are now - needing to pull rabbits out of hats over and over. Difficult to call - I reckon 1-1.

Can’t take anything away from a stellar performance. Midfield presence of three worked wonders, as did early changes from Jones. I do wonder whether the knowledge that new attacking midfield options are becoming available to NJ, plus a Director of Football being on the horizon, may have helped galvanise the 1st team regulars/Manager/coaches to a new level? Maybe, maybe not…the weekend may provide an answer. For now though we can all bask in the glow of a very good win against probably the best squad in the World. And the addition of 2 or 3 excellent new players in key positions.

Huge result, but most importantly even more significant if the Manager and the players can take the confidence into the league against Everton to show it’s no flook. So many unexpected top performances from players that have not previously delivered, but have to the assist and finish from Mara typifies what we’ve missing for over a year now. That came from pace, press and movement into dangerous areas. Well done NJ for getting this one 100% spot on tactically…never thought I’d ever be saying that. COYR!

Brilliant - brilliant - but a massive 15 minutes to half time. Wow.

I don’t think our defence is strong enough to sustain protection of just one DM. Also, JWP is not best suited driving forwards as he does not have pace, has no natural ability to thread a pass and frankly at the moment there’s little point in him putting in ‘dangerous’ crosses - i.e. he rarely delivers a cross (or a corner for that matter) that results in a goal. Our new midfielders hopefully will be able to unlock defences and create much more than we currently do. Armstrong is no longer a starter it would seem and Aribo has yet to prove himself worthy of a place on the bench. Significant change is required to get us firing again.

That may be true, but off-loading a under-par player, particularly one on a decent long contract seems to be problem we always have needed to contend with. Then when they’re actually needed they’re even worse because they’re not motivated or match fit.

With the Orsic and Alcerez signings, plus talk of more wingers it makes you wonder if Jones is trying to inject more pace in attack (clearly needed) and play a 4231 formation with Adams or Armstrong up top as main starters, thinking that the new AM’s will create more chances AND contribute to the goal tally too. It certainly seems to signal a slight shift away from the ‘fresh from Academy’ youngsters we’ve been relying on. Defensive line as a 4 writes itself when all are fit/available. We could do with a better GK option, but the club seem to have invested everything in Baz. DM’s - JWP, Lavia. AM’s - Edozie, Alcarez, Orsic ST - Adams or Armstrong or new signing (not counting on this addition TBH). The only outstanding bit of business will be who to offload and when. I can’t see Djenepo, Ely, Mara et al wanting to get splinters. Whether or not the above is enough will be down to NJ, so to my mind we’re still looking like relegation candidates on paper.

Or perhaps he’s utilising his squad to protect key players for critical EPL matches? Makes sense really.

There’s about as much chance of us winning this as there is of me winning the Lottery Jackpot - i.e. zilch. Would play our B team just to piss Pep off. Jones will mess about with this and that, get the system and tactics completely wrong and end up with a total drubbing. 7-0 City.

Why did Adkins, who had previously performed admirably getting us two promotions, get replaced? Because someone had the vision to realise that he didn’t have all the tools to command the respect and lead a team of incoming higher potential players. Cut to 2022 and the decision to hire Jones…a move that completely acts in the opposite direction to previous well established Prem managerial appointments. Stupid or inspired?

Surely this is an excellent opportunity to blood in all the new signings and score some goals? Oh.

NJ: “Righto, Orsic…with all respect you’re not gonna get on well here unless you’re able to pick up the scraps of second balls following a good old hoof upfield. That and a few Hail Marys at bedtime.”

There’s some Facebook posts saying Orsic is a done deal and he’s about to undergo a medical. Anyone here seen news on this? EDIT: just seen new post on the signing. Looks positive news providing Jones knows how to utilise him and he actually gets to see the ball after it’s been hoofed again.

Has he gone yet? 🤞

With the greatest respect Nathan Jones, you are a delusional fool and an uninspiring clown with a severe lack of a footballing brain cell. Just can’t fathom the scale of the recruiting incompetence in appointing him.

There are some poor players sure, but more importantly there is no sign of a cohesive effective system. The players don’t know how to work effectively together. Our midfield looks non-existent and we rely on the CB’s to supply the forward line time and time again. We make it so easy for the opposing team to play against us. This is all done to the manager and his coaches who are quite clearly ineffective. I’m truly terrified of what any of the top six might achieve against us. It’s going to be a bloodbath.