Saint Fan CaM

Where to start a prediction but at the end and this one will not end well if the past three games are indicative of the level we’re operating at. This team needs to work at 120% to get anything from a game…consistent press in packs all over the pitch…move the ball upfield at pace…more one touch passing than multiple touches. Whatever, can’t see anything other than a 5-0 defeat. Might be more.

I wonder if there’s an option for a straight swap with Chelsea…Livramento for Broja? Would seem a win-win.

Just the type of team we lose against. They’re a team that likes to sit back and break quickly - we’re the mugs that like to get caught with our pants down in a high press in our final third, while fannying around recycling the ball as the front line stands static waiting for an incisive pass that never comes. Jeez, I’m so cynical nowadays! To win this game we need Perraud behind Moi and KWP on the right. We need Broja to link well with Stuey. We need JWP to pass forwards at least 30% of the time. We need to transition the ball from Forster to the front line much quicker. We need Valery (yeah I know) next to Salisu (he’s quicker in mind and body than Bednarek or Stephens). We need an early goal. We can win this, but I’m never confident even playing the worst teams in the league. I’m going 2-2.

Poor game plan…tippy tappy pass it backwards slow boring football. At 75 minutes you could be forgiven for thinking we were 3-0 up rather than losing the game. Where was the strategy to try and turn their 6’7” slow CB? KWP the only player who took the game on for us. Poor choices for full-back…Moi works better with Perraud behind him. Tino is not all that lately. JWP once again flatters to deceive at corners…nothing EVER comes of them. And he’s not got a forward pass in his locker. Eddie is doing a good job…Newcastle are fighting for him.

As others have said, losing Salisu means significantly weakening our defence…Stephens and Bednarek are collectively a poor unbalanced pairing. We don’t have a left side natural CB to cover for Salisu though, so options are thin…fingers crossed he’s back. If Newcastle figure out how stifle our play like Villa did we’ll lose again… 0-2. If they give us space to play 2-1 Saints.

And there you have it - the problem with messing about too much and with a poor CB combination that don’t know how to play with each other. Valery has been a better CB than Stephens!

Seen a report today that Chelski are valuing him at €70m! No way for us, so can only hope for a 2nd season loan at the very best (again highly unlikely).

Will be one of the tougher tests this season and one that could very easily see the end of the unbeaten run. Just don’t want Ings to score - would love to see him frustrated and subbed early. Both teams have goals in them - 2-2 for me.

Absolute blinder played by Ralph. Perraud my MOTM, but for goodness sake every player bar Djenepo and Diallo had a brilliant game.

Nd this is where we lose the game, aided by the club letting Oppo supporters boss the stadium giving their team a lift.

Crazy team selection. Feel a complete drubbing on the horizon. Oh well…nice cup run while it lasted.

Great win, albeit expected. Slightly frustrating to have so many chances squandered, but got there in the end and Romeu’s goal was sublime. I thought Norwich looked really poor…worse than the last time I saw them and you can’t help feel it’s game over for them

Good to see an unchanged lineup although still think it’s a bit harsh on Perraud. If we keep up the press and counter we’ll romp home with a comfortable win, but they’re starting to find a system that works for them and they’re scrapping for their place, so this is not going to be an easy match.

Pretty much an unchanged side I would imagine, but with the possibility of Perraud coming back in. Norwich can play but the form we’re in would suggest we can get a very good result - 3-1 is realistic, but I would love to see us smash a team 5-0.

Have to admit feeling initially disappointed that Ralph tinkered and brought in Tino to replace Perraud, but I understand Romain has covid. I needn’t have worried - once we found time to get our passing game going we dominated a very lacklustre Everton side. 2-0 flattered them frankly and we always deserved the win. So many good performances again - lots of 2nd balls won, just nicking the ball away. But my MOTM is Armstrong…everything good seemed to go through him…as good a box to box midfielder as you’re likely to see. JWP & Romeu were immense once again…one of a few very solid partnerships forming around the team. Ralph is building something very special here. My one concern is Broja - lose him next season and fail to replace with equal quality will be a huge mistake. A Armstrong and Redmond or even Longy are not the answers.

Good point well made! Funny how 9 or 10 (?) games unbeaten feels like we’re on a winning streak. But yeah, I want to see Redmond (for example) fight and earn a place in the side…not just waltz in because his contract mandates he’s got to play if fit or because he’s a ‘senior’ player. My biggest fear is that KWP and Perraud will be ousted by Tino, which IMO will unbalance the side.

Note to Ralph; please don’t tinker…leave a winning side alone.

Forster seems to be doing better than previously- has to instil more confidence in the defence. KWP and Perraud provide a balanced defence. Stu Armstrong has returned to close to his best. Brojas partnership with Che seems to be clicking at long last and of course Broja himself looks the real deal. Che is finally getting to grips with the demands of the EPL. I believe the players have more flexibility in the tactical formation…442 is used more and there’s more fluidity…and this Ralph’s doing.

Fantastic performance from the team. Difficult to chose a MOTM, but have to say Forster is a close contender…superb game. We are looking like a top 6 team easily…only issue is if we get a spate of injuries which means delving into a bench that’s not good enough. But it’s looking like it’s going to be a decent mid table season.

Going to need fresh legs early ish in the 2nd half, but let’s hope Ralph resists the temptation to sub KWP or Perraud for Livramento who for my money could do a good job in Armstrongs role. If Djenepo is brought on he needs to pressure their defence and attempt to get a FK for Prowsey to have a go at (although I suspect he’s too rusty for Ralph to risk putting him in….it’ll more likely be Diallo. Still in the game, but this is the type of game we end up collapsing in the 2nd half… 0-3.

Commentators are already showing bias towards Utd…just that little extra bit more enthusiasm for them. Think we’ll look good but ultimately get done by their better quality. If we walk away with a point I’ll be delighted.

Get the f**k in! Totally deserved…brilliant performances from all players and Ralph got the tactics spot on!

Travesty. Foul on our player not given and they go and score. So biased to the top clubs it’s untrue. I hate Spurs and I hate the officials in the Premier league.

In my dreams I see Saints taking them apart with a two goal shock lead in the first 30 minutes, following up with a third in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half. In reality we lose 3-0, but put up a good fight which is talked about briefly. Next.

Problem is that if you’re Ralph, will that performance have given you confidence that you can risk exposing our defence because a 17 year old is still learning his trade? Compare this debut to how Livramento came in all guns blazing. OK, so he’s two years younger, but the point still stands that it’s a big risk. The fear is that Small has been made promises for game time that Ralph will struggle to justify and could lead to squad unrest.