Saint Fan CaM

It will be WBA, Stoke and us. Even if (and it’s a huge IF) we were to find some form, there’s too much to be done now to overcome an increasing gap. Need to face the facts...the Board (i.e. Les Reed) have turned a fabulous well designed project into a disaster in 1.5 seasons. Quite extraordinary really and a failure that should see heads roll, although I suspect it’ll not be top management that suffers.

We’ll lose. 2-0.

In what World does anyone think this squad - the one that has performed so terribly all season - will pull out of a terminal nose dive? Yes, I remember the great escape seasons, but there was more about the teams then. The very nature of the seasons performances lead me to believe we’re down already. Sure, it was better in the last two games...but we still lost, even when 2-0 up FFS. Games over...we’ve been found out...the Emperors clothes have been stripped from Les’ flabby back.

We will lose at Leicester unfortunately. There's just not enough in the tank with this squad. Les has assembled a disaster of a squad and it's a crying shame that he dallied around with sacking MP and appointing Hughes. I've expected us to be down for weeks now...actually months. And this based not on results, but mainly on watching the tactically inept poor performances over and over and over....

Yes. Needing some consistency now and he’s done a good job in a short time.

Hughes has made a difference, but we were down at Xmas when Reed didn’t act early to sack the clown. I am saving all my hope for better decisions in the Championship, starting with a new contract for Hughes...we need consistency now.

I like Sims, but defensively he has a lot to learn. Everyone berated Stephens and Cedric for Arsenal’s third, but if you watch Sims he is stood on the edge of the area ball watching...not the actions of a player that understands the predicament we’re in or the stature of a player that could make a difference defensively. Not entirely his fault...he’s not been near the first team consistently enough it could be argued to gain from that experience.

Surely it will depend on (a) whether there is a relegation clause in a given players contract and (b) whether the club is strong willed enough to ensure a given player sees out his contract? History tells us neither of these things will hold true, so if we go down there will be a significant overhaul of the squad, with many youngsters getting the call. I highly expect to see Targett or similar to be our LB next season.

Good bye game.

And that’s what happens if you lay back and invite pressure, don’t go for the 2nd and then switch off at the back.

Hughes has set the team up as perfectly as he could for this game. Ref looks like he might try to even things up for Arsenal.

Enjoyable read and shockingly accurate in the description of how sh1t we are now.

I like Austin and his attitude, but to be frank he's been part of the problem. Les relied too heavily on either sub-standard or crocked forwards, plus of course the tactics employed by two carp managers have led us to this point.

Look at our form. Look at how many goals we've scored. If there is anyone who honestly can say hand on heart that they think we'll beat Arsenal? It will take a miracle - 3-0 or possibly 4-0 to Arse.

When you see that list like that it really is quite shocking. You could add the debacles around Alderweild and Osveldo. You could add the purchase of lesser quality players in Redmond and Carrillo. You could add the sale of two keepers (above) to give way to a sub-standard keeper who now can't get a game. You could add the lack of addressing defensive frailties. You could add the complete lack of ambition which led to Koeman leaving and two (potentially three) sub-standard managerial changes. The list goes on and on...

Players look unfit, un-organised and resigned to failure. The Hughes effect has been the square root of naff all. We’re down but then I think we knew that 5 months ago.

Why do I feel less confident today than in the days leading up to today?! We’ve got the team to do this, but we’ve fallen short so many times this season when more was needed. Definitely a game that needs us to score first I would say and then go for the jugular. Fingers crossed.

This one does seem to be entirely pivotal to our season...losing or even drawing would feel like a disaster and let’s face it, it would be. Not only because of the loss of points, but it would signify that Hughes has had little effect on the squad and that would likely be game over. Almost impossible to predict, but I would hazard a guess at 1-1...not what we need.

Mane, Alderweirld, Pelle.

I’ve made it clear since day one of the season that I thought we needed far better quality than Austin, Long and Redmond to push on. What has become apparent to me though is that Austin probably has the attributes...just not a reliable body now, and he is more articulate than I thought and I feel he’s a positive influence in the squad. Looking forward to seeing him bag more goals for us.

Some of the comments dissing Cedric are outrageous! Who do you think we are FFS? Cedric has some great attributes and Saints are pretty lucky to have an international of his calibre. The skill needed to control the ball and score last week was sublime. In fact I might like to see him in a more advanced role...probably better than Redmond.

Playing the odds, you would say we have a chance of gaining enough points to stay up but there’s very little chance we will get past Chelsea let alone Utd or Spuds, so the choice as put would be cup. BUT! So much of the clubs infrastructure relies on its Prem status...local suppliers...workers jobs etc. Being sensible with no fairy tales involved, it’s gotta be the league.

It’s great to win and by more than one game. I hope that Hughes learns much from this game and the players take courage, fight and confidence from it. I want Guido to do well, really do...but I’m not seeing enough from him and I think this is largely down to his movement and positioning which is quite poor. Whether that’s due to others not finding him at the right time is arguable - I don’t think so...he just isn’t in the right place at the right time...ever. I thought Cedrics goal was World class - in the move he looked Henry-like than Redmond...way way better, although admittedly Redmond created the opportunity. Gabbi made the pen too easy to call...left footed player will generally most times hit to left of the keepers down guess what the keeper pulled what looks like Worldy!

It’s great to win and by more than one game. I hope that Hughes learns much from this game and the players take courage, fight and confidence from it. I want Guido to do well, really do...but I’m not seeing enough from him and I think this is largely down to his movement and positioning which is quite poor. Whether that’s due to others not finding him at the right time is arguable - I don’t think so...he just isn’t in the right place at the right time...ever. I thought Cedrics goal was World class - in the move he looked Henry-like than Redmond...way way better, although admittedly Redmond created the opportunity. Gabbi made the pen too easy to call...left footed player will generally most times hit to left of the keepers down guess what the keeper pulled what looks like Worldy!

I am hopeful that he can find a way to maximise the potential of the squad, drill the players in how to be creative in attack and get us scoring again. That is as much as we can expect at this stage of the season. Of course he’ll get my support...why wouldn’t he?! However, I am not confident he will have enough time to change our fortunes for the better, especially given some of the teams we have to play. Slightly more positive, but the proof of the pudding will be seeing what style of football we play on Sunday. Good luck Mr Hughes, but let’s hope luck doesn’t need to play a part.