Saint Fan CaM

Maybe, but I was not advocating that he replaced a DM (or CM), but put him in front the CB’s to provide extra defensive cover across the width of the pitch wherever he was needed.

Difficult to disagree with this, although there is an interim position in that you bring in the loan players in the expectation that the run in will need extra decent players waiting to go. Problem is how to manage (a) getting players match fit and up to speed with the system and (b) actually being able to attract the right level of player in the first place, knowing that they’ll be bench warming until they’re needed. Plus there’s the decent academy players not getting a look in. Personally I don’t have a problem with that scenario - our established first team should have first nod if they’re performing well, which as you say, they were in early January.

You’ve mixed DM and CM up there…of course Stephens is not a CM, but he’s as capable of performing at DM as he is at LB, RB or indeed CB. He doesn’t have to be a silky smooth passer…he needs to use his experience and muscle to support the full-backs, break up play and put the fear of Jesus into forwards. Not sure Charles has those attributes in his locker yet or at least he’s not displayed them particularly well.

Great result for SKD and Eastleigh tonight!

I would have more faith in Djenepo putting in a defensive shift than this poor excuse of a defender. Both Bree and Meghoma have been streets ahead of Manning and yet if you’re best mates with the gaffer you get the nod it seems. I’m just surprised it’s not caused squad unrest.

This needs to be an emphatic win…it certainly should be, but something tells me a wheel has come off somewhere. Can’t see Manning being replaced, so if their RW forwards are half decent they’ll suss out that we’re weak down that side and capitalise. If Russ is really on his game and gets the starting selection right, we’ll win but it’ll be tough against another load of cloggers. 1-0 Saints. COYR!

I’m surprised at the lack of imagination and flex in RM’s team selection. He has 3 CB’s at his disposal to compensate for a weakened defensive midfield, so why not get Stephens into a back three or play him between the CB’s and CDM’s? I’m not a huge JS fan, but he can pass reasonably accurately and has confidence to turn with the ball. The best RM seems able to muster is consistently selecting his mate Manning with typically terrible consequences.

The system is weak against teams with high stamina. Doesn’t help when we’ve got RM doing his best tinkerman and using Manning. There’s no reason to give up on autos yet, but it’s going to be super tough to grab 2nd. Forget Leicester- they’re as good as gone.

Ain’t that the truth! 🤣🤣🤣

My fear is that he’ll come back hampered by injury potential (his body has taken too much punishment) and that ultimately he’ll not be at a level suitable for the EPL (let’s face it, he was bought in to contend in the Championship).

Eloquent, but what do you really think? 😉🤣

When I read the original article I thought it was clear the club were certain he would not feature, however there will always be some factors that might flex that assertion…i.e. his injury might repair quicker than anticipated (past injuries would tend to suggest this to be unlikely) and there is the difficult to predict period of time that he takes getting up to speed with Russball (unlikely to be a short period following recovery, based on time taken for other new players to get up to speed and also performance advances the team will hopefully make in the meantime). So in summary, there’s very little if any chance of him returning this season, but they’d be daft to rule it out entirely.

Would be hugely disappointed to lose Wilcox to be honest. Think he has been highly influential in repairing the fabric of the club over the last year or so. A difficult man to replace.

I don’t like Vardy or any team he’s associated with, whereas I have a soft-spot for Leeds having followed the Bremner team of the 70’s. BUT, for this one it HAS to be a Leicester win as we don’t want our closest rivals for 2nd place to gain points on us. Leicester can still lose other games in theory and would need to for us to catch them - it’s unlikely though and so it’s unlikely also that we’ll be able to catch them. We don’t need a strong challenge from Leeds or Ipswich. A draw would be OK, but still not ideal IMO.

You clearly don’t read all the thread posts. 😉

And jinx it? 😉🤣

Some don’t do irony I see. 😉 Hull City…the centre of football genius…yeah, they’ll outplay us…no doubt.

Another banana skin as they’re another bunch of cloggers who’ll try to foul us into submission. Same team with perhaps the strength of Che up front. 3-1 Saints.

Two really good goals. MOTM for me was Russ (and his coaches)…he managed to restore belief in the lads and whatever he did it paid off in spades in terms of a very professional performance. Don’t know why Manning didn’t play, but let’s just say we didn’t miss him!

Think RM needs to change formation to 3 at the back and wing backs, preferably Bree or Meghoma. Far better to shore up with a 0-0 draw than give WBA the chance to take all 3 points. He won’t do that though as it will admit defeat for his system and his mate Manning is undroppable. Alongside the loss of Downes, I do wonder whether the introduction of Brooks and Joe R has disrupted the squad…we were looking real good prior to their arrival, albeit with a slim squad?

Couldn’t watch the game - glad of that. The bits I snatched a quick look at confirm much of what I’ve read on here….Manning was his usual shit self and we lost possession too many times. Sad that the unbeaten run comes to an end like that, but it had to happen sometime. So perhaps best to get it out the way now. Generally I feel this exposes the weaknesses of RM’s system (encourages slow build up play) and his knack of playing favourites (Manning) even when performances don’t warrant it. Think these things will ultimately consign us to the play-offs. Big game against WBA now in terms of re-setting squad mentality.

Yeah, can’t help being impressed. To hit a ball with that quality you’ve got to believe you’ve got it in you and then have the inherent skill to execute the strike. Not to mention having the confidence that you’ll not get reamed by the Manager if it goes into row ZZ. Looks like Joe has found the right club/Manager to really express himself. Long May it continue!

Big game - not a must win, but close. Think we should have too much providing they don’t allow the complacency to slip back into the team mentality. Going 2-0 Saints.

Good game for the neutrals as they say. In context a fantastic win with some outstanding 2nd half performances…who knew Joe R had that in him?! Joe and Brooke’s both have a little catching up to do to learn the system, but we’re now seeing their class shine through (perhaps a little reminder of the gulf in class in the EPL). 25 unbeaten is remarkable and long may it continue, but we must expect a defeat somewhen on the horizon. Let’s hope it’s no sooner than Liverpool.

Terrible defending especially by Manning. Team looks all over the place, but credit to the Huddersfield gaffer - he’s done a number on Russ.