Saint Fan CaM

What a shithole Selhurst Park is.

Assuming we’ll be pressing them further up the pitch IF they’re able to get a foot in then Fernandez and Aribo MIGHT be able to contain Palace. I fear however that this game will be lost by half-time. AA has been selected to run around a lot and spearhead the press - it’s certainly not to help score goals. 2-0 Palace.

Yeah I think with this potentially being his 300th EPL game plus IJ’s comments about him helping, reckon we’ll see him play but that might be off the bench. Big Less seems to be in favour so reckon it might be Lallana starting and Aribo or possibly Downes replacing him at 60-70 mins.

Sabbath. Nothing else matters.

My feeling is there are others more likely to be shown the window (door) before TP and Big Les exit, who as you say have actually shown they offer something. For example Cornet, Sulemana and one of the many LB’s we have could go first. I also reckon Dibling will go if a sizeable offer comes in - the sacrificial lamb to the survival cause.

Just need a top striker and defensive midfielder. Should be loads of options thrusting themselves forward for the opportunity to shine with the worst performing team in EPL history (potentially).

Seriously? Think you’ve been asleep since 1982 - there are so many variations on formation, but five at the back is not some modern fail safe solution…in fact it’s starting to show its age IMO. So far no-one has expressed a preference as to who they would chose as our two best CB’s in a back four, so I guess everyone is happy with that formation. 🤔

Thinking on the last game and our ‘new’ style of play, it’s apparent to me that 5 at the back could be damaging our ability to boss midfield and support any form of attack. For example, when we’re around the opposition box and a loose ball comes out to the edge of the area or beyond, sometimes there’s a big gaping hole with no-one available to re-cycle it back in the mixer or better still run onto the ball and shoot. 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 seems to be a more sensible option to address the above, but of course it does beg two questions… 1. Will that formation leave our defence too exposed, given the quality of player available? 2. Which of the five defenders do you drop - it’s likely to be a CB rather than a LB or RB? Contenders for the two slots for me would be THB, Wood, Bednarek and possibly ABK (can he be registered in January’s window?). First choice if pushed would be THB and Wood. First choice full backs would be KWP and one of either Suga, Taylor, Bree or Manning - they’re all as mundane as each other. Lastly, with this system you need an enforcer at DCM to lie relatively deep and I’m not sure that’s Downes, let alone Aribo or Smallbone. Big Les is a good option now we’re rid of Russball, but I’d argue he’s more a box-to-box midfielder. We need a decent loanee DCM enforcer in the window. Thoughts?

Got to blame Downes for their first goal in terms of the offensive movement - he jumped up 10 feet in front of the crosser of the ball before the ball had even reached the player and then didn’t get close so the block was not made…result - ball into dangerous area and eventual goal. Downes is the one position we really need to be watertight, but in midfield he’s too power puff and slow, which is why he looked OK for Russball. Same with Aribo - needs a slow build up as he’s facing backwards for a backwards pass 95% of the time. TP was good in general, but the skill and composure in front of goal was sadly lacking in spades which is pretty unsustainable for a striker. AA runs a lot - that’s it…no vision for a pass…no composure in front of goal. Dibling is either being found out or needs completely re-training in proper EPL level football. Wondering why Archer didn’t get a look in - is he that unfit? Fernandez is a lovely player - most things he does he does well. Unlucky not to score, but again composure let him down. In general, this a game where we should be saying - “we should have won 3-1 and the WH goal was a consolation”. Trouble is every point is so precious now that this feels like a double defeat rather than just a single shocker of a game that can be corrected. Is it worth investing in another striker in January? If we can offload the likes of Sulemana, Aribo, etc then the loan of an exceptional striker and CM until season end would be very good business.

To be fair to Suga, he gets forward more than Bree so needs more defensive help from midfield ideally.

A point is a point and we’re in transition, but we need more going forwards which Juric may be able to squeeze out the side. Let’s make no mistake - the formation may have kept Fulham at bay (just), but it did nothing to suggest we’ve got goals in us. We basically need an extra man in midfield to help get attacks going and perhaps equally importantly to ensure the high press is effective. Expecting defenders to venture too far forwards will leave us exposed at the back for counters. In short - a good point gained and a performance moving in the right direction. Much more of both needed…time is most definitely running out.

Whoever came in it was going to be a huge risk for them - less so Saints as the expectation is relegation from most bystanders and supporters. For that I think he should be thanked and given as much support as possible by the club and supporters alike. Priority for any Jan spend (if indeed money is available), MUST be to offload deadwood and buy a decent striker - not 3-4 squad fillers. Good luck annd welcome Ivan - hopefully you will lift the club above the Derby record low points at the very least and restore a little pride to our club.

Very likely 6 months would be my guess! 😂😏

Seems the COT were not in the circle of truth on this occasion and missed out entirely. Had to happen sometime I suppose. 🤔🤣😉

Knew the name, but knew nothing of his approach or history. After a bit of a read up I have to say this is not a bad appointment given there were very few choices. A 6 month contract when the club is very likely facing relegation is a good move. He’s older, got gravitas and a bit of pedigree having managed in serie A. His style of football fills in the gaps missing from Russball - man marking high press, solid defence, dynamic in the final third with high paced counters. Of course he’s got to get the players on-board with his system, but I reckon if he does that we’ll be seeing a quite different Saints side that gives us a bit more pride and hope. Icing on the cake is that, relegation or not, if he fits well he may prove to be the man to take us back up. He’s brave coming to us so certainly deserves every fans support for the next 6 months. Welcome Ivan.

I agree - at this point the players are not conditioned to sustain continual fast paced attacks. However, they should be able to operate a high press - something Fulham will almost certainly be looking to apply to us as Saints will still try to play out from the back when they can (and they should but only if the risk is low). Unfortunately the high press is less feasible with a back 5 and that seems to be the preferred system still with Rusk. Consequently also, our midfield suffers as Downes and Aribo are often stretched. The only way to manage this is to allow Fulham to have periods of possession, but not near our penalty area.

Well I’d say just get it forward quick any which way…we’ve got players that can make it happen…just need some selection consistency so some partnerships can start to gel. I’d leave BBD and Manning back at Staplewood ready to ship ‘em out - the squad is just too bloated with mediocrity.

I think if we play like that second half, get the players 10% fitter and provide the team better coaching in key areas…we MAY have a chance to get some points on the board. The catalyst to this will be who we appoint as manager…it’s so crucial.

Unless you’re a ‘big’ team, then the ball holding attacker gets the benefit and it’s a pen or at the very least a freekick.

That Lino was never going to give us anything - nearly all 50-50 decisions went their way.

Absolute cunt of Ref - there I said it.

Some lovely cross field balls being played - been a long time coming.

I like that there’s a bit of fire coming back. THB just gave Fernandes a rollicking. As I type BBD is miles offside from a brilliant Suga cross. Just very poor.

That Lino must be a massive closet Pool fan….he’s not giving us anything.

How the fook did TP miss that!?!