Saint Fan CaM

I don’t think RM brought all of the shitshow to the club - I reckon there has been a deliberate strategy to play a keep-ball system to ENABLE lower quality/cost players to be purchased. Russball was required by design therefore and that was fine for the Championship, but not so good for the EPL. And now we have a new Manager asking sub-standard players to raise their game, which clearly they can’t…they’re not good enough. To be fair they’re not ‘bad’ players - they’re just woefully short on fitness and technical skill to compete at EPL level. SR’s strategy has totally failed and it could be argued that the writing was on the wall by only achieving fourth at season end, but no lessons were learned. Unless 5-6 new top level starters are purchased in this coming window, we shall continue to see shockingly poor performances. That’s not going to happen, so be prepared for months more of the shitshow. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the Championship, but that will require a complete re-think again in the summer as team morale will be even further shot to bits. I feel really sorry for Juric - he’s put his career on the line thinking he can make an impact, but in truth the season was gone the minute the summer ‘24 window closed.

He’ll be off to our sister club I guess given his age?

Have not seen anything yet to change my mind that we’re not only headed for relegation, but we’ll not win or draw enough games to beat Derby’s record. Yes, IR has helped but I reckon that’s more about what the team are NOT doing (dicking about at the back), rather than what has changed to improve performances and specifically how to score goals. Brentford are (shockingly) an all round better club and have a better, more effective squad of players, marshalled by a good manager. 0-2 Brentford

Unless you’re Russell Martin and keep doing the same things despite poor performance. Then all bets are off!

So much wrong with the club. It needs a relegation to sort it out probably. Let’s not try to suggest it was RM or the players only…it’s multi-faceted. 1. Russball no good for our squad and probably useless in the EPL full-stop. This was an easy one to sort out, but it happened too late. 2. Too many players of sub-standard quality and/or fitness. 3. Persistence in playing 5 at the back when we don’t have the skill and/fitness in midfield or in attack to allow it. 4. Losing mentality is now so embedded in the squads mindset, it’s difficult for any Manager to eradicate it. 5. Squad is big but bloated with mediocrity at best. Honestly can’t see where or how we’re going to pick up points unless there’s a groundbreaking January transfer window (hint: there won’t be). Think we’re destined to break Derby’s record sadly.

There’s no understanding of how to lay off a ball to get a shot off outside the pen area. It’s always trying to go around the outside.

Manning and Lallana on - let’s settle for a 2-1 loss shall we? 🤔😞

Our free kicks and corners are…well, shit.

Bedders needs to come off for ABK. Ah, Bedders is Capt! Plus we’ve used all subs?

Palace players just falling over like fairies.

3-1 incoming.

Saintsplayer lost coverage. 😞

Fernandez gets a booking and so misses the next game. Not a foul. Other end. Ref does it again.

Good goal from Eze - everything we don’t have.

Les on for Aribo - good job.

I’d be subbing Bedders (card waiting to happen) and Wood (poor game). Put Les on to man mark Mateta. Get Archer on for AA.

Utterly shit corner.

Foul on Rambo - VAR fuck us again.

Mist coming in. Just our luck that we’re looking good but the game will be called off!!!

Brilliant goal from Tyler - all KWP though.

Wood is getting overrun - weak midfield.

Commentators saying it’s an ‘adventurous’ midfield! 😂😂😂

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.