Saint Fan CaM

Can’t imagine that Les will not get substantial minutes, but not entirely sure he’ll have enough Russball coaching behind him for Saturday to anything but a bench warmer. It does leave a 2nd question over who drops from the bench to give him space. Russ will be starting to ponder over how he’s going to keep team spirit high with the numbers not making the bench from last season increasing. It would be great to see a little more drive and positive play from our team though, moving the ball quicker so as to take advantage of our high possession periods.

Would imagine Toney will be upwards of £40m having England 1st team place now. We’ll not be in that market.

If we don’t sort out the keeper we’ll not be seeing many instances of 3 points whatsoever!

Assuming Charles and Alcarez go, I can see us having Downes, O’Riley and Fernandes in a middle three triangle which interchangeably rotates but with Downes the primary defensive cover role. They all bring something different, with Fernandes providing the box-to-box CM role we've not seen since Schneiderlin. I am hoping to see Stephens dropped in favour of a front three, certainly at home - AA…B-Diaz…Archer. With the above potent midfield and a mobile front three we might actually get to see some goals scored in our favour. Keeper-wise I stand by my comment yesterday - fail to sort this position out could be a huge mistake. However, I feel certain the club are pinning hopes on Bazunu being ready sooner rather than later and McCarthy (+Lumley) will be relied on until that time. Personally I tend to think that Lumley has better judgement than McCarthy and so wouldn’t be any more concerned with him in goal.

Forget O’Riley (if he was ever a possibility). After seeing that shocking performance by McCarthy you’ve got to say the priority must be to get a decent keeper in above all else…more than a playmaker ACM or a striker. Don’t do that and we don’t compete at this level.

Thanks McCarthy you twat. And to the Saints Board - get us a proper Prem keeper - the outfield players deserve it.

Bruno buying the Ref twice over.

Pretty poor from Archer tbh. No composure.

Move the fucking ball quicker!!!

Archer not seeing the ball really. You’ve got to say, why bother bringing these players on and not utilising them?

Linton is doing everything he can to injure Bednarek - the Ref really needs to watch carefully…don’t think VAR gives a toss.

Aaarrgh!!

Because of one man who should know how to clear the ball out of his area.

Oh fuck off McCarthy - utter utter shit after the outfield has been bossing it.

Nice cross from Suga there. BBD did a Che.

Nobody wants to fucking shoot!

Stupid free kick - just test the f-ing keeper!

Excellent shithousery from BBD! Usually it’s us that gets that nonsense against us. Big atmosphere now!

Suga so far having a great game. We are doing ok.

Nervously looking forward to seeing what we can do. Think it could be a big wake-up call with a number of horrible fuck-ups when trying to pass in our pen area. Shearer has called it 3-1, so I’d like us to completely make him look a prat and win or at worst draw. Not sure I like a 3 CB defence, especially with Stephens there…invites pressure and inevitably means there are fewer options to play out. Good to see we’ve moved on from Manning. Good to see Archer straight onto the bench as an option with Tyler too. Is Aribo good enough to deserve a start? Jury out, but I thought he looked leggy and got caught with the ball a bit too much in pre-season games. So tough to call this…think it will be a sad loss, but let’s hope it’s more 2-1 than 9-0. COYS!

Welcome Cam Archer - looks like you’ve got a couple of good feet, so let’s hope we get the ball to you so you can show what you can do with them. Hint: you might need to wait for quite long spells.😜

I like Alcarez - think he’s got further improvement but obviously not really an RM type player, so getting the money to make MOR happen is a big positive, if indeed Celtic will sell.

Their hearts not in it. 🤣

AFC Wimbledon away or home.

Sounds like the “yeah we tried and tried to find answers but it just didn’t happen for us and so we go with what we’ve got” line will be spun in the not too distant future.