Monk

I shit you not, the Sky Sports notification came through the exact same time the first firework went off at Whiteley FW display. Shock they’re throwing another 21’s boss under the bus.

Thoughts on Nathan Wood’s conduct? Admittedly despite being an absolute donkey of a player has been one of our better players.

Oh dear… I mean that was shambolic, I would love to spend the next four to five paragraphs tactically pulling Will Still apart. However on this occasion I won’t, you all know my opinions on him and he validated them yet again today. The sooner he’s gone, the better. He doesn’t offer much other than the odd hipster football vocabulary. but… as for the players? That was absolutely appalling and cowardly. I’ve heard of a story from last season (in the women’s game) where the players disliked and disagreed with the managers set up so much they defied the instructions. The group led by a loan player, moved to a different formation and targeted the opposition through a different method. Now, they didn’t win the game but they ended up gaining a point which at the end of the season contributed to them staying up. The point I’m making is that, 99% of footballers know when something is or isn’t working. Yet, nobody from our squad appears to take any accountability. I didn’t see one player converse with WS on the edge of the pitch or lead a small briefing when the ball was out of play. I think our football IQ as a squad is shocking. I do have to go after DD, not for the missed oppo across the six yard. Just the complete lack of effort and intent. Take Tall Paul, at least he would try and bundle players over, impact the ball carrier with a half arsed press or jump with/next to the opposition player climbing for a header. We seriously need to consider him playing in the B/23’s team for a run of games. Ultimately, I just hate how often I feel like I’ve fallen out of love with my club. Even when we were proper shit, I still loved it and cared. Today, I just seem to have so much anger and hate directed at it. Would love to know what was said with Nathan Wood if anyone’s any wiser?

With either, it’s pretty straight forward.

His brothers are clearly the brains. Trollope living up to his name. Carl Martin is just a glorified grassroots coach, been in the building too long. This level of anger is on par of the 9-0’s and some of RM’s gems. They have to go, it’s borderline negligence that set up and reaction in game. Blackburn were absolutely awful. I doubt this comment is going to be popular but it’s the Armstrong situation I can’t fathom. Misses two clear 1on1’s and stays on the pitch! He should’ve been hooked immediately!! Players couldn’t give a flying fuck except Leo. Hats off to the fans. I hope we give them hell if they’re in post for the next game.

Was discussing with some colleagues last night, all varying from ex-pros, UEFA Pro/A licence holders, one works senior in overseas recruitment for Prem club. Fascinating conversation with some real insight and we came to the following conclusion..... Saints need a 'cunt'.

Fuck him and the coaching staff off, Cal Martin etc have been around this culture way too long. WS is clearly one that needs his brothers/backroom team. Currently sat watching Cov/Pomp. Cov aren’t anything special, just efficient and well organised… I suppose that is special for us. but yeah… done with WS, his ignorance and blame culture. Get him fucked off.

Interestingly, he often makes comments associated to players having ’freedom’ to make in game decisions. With regular subtle digs to the previous management and their restrictive playing philosophy. For a coach that wants player driven freedom, intuition and creativity he’s not provided the platform for this tactically IMO. WS has often alluded to losing possession in certain areas ‘around our goal’ yet loads that part of the pitch with a back five and a two pivots. (Wing backs are rarely encouraged on until we’ve progressed out of our defensive third). I just don’t see what’s been ‘coached’ by this management team.

Done everything but score. Scienza getting into gear. Jander and Jelert look mustard. Nathan Wood looks like Maldini (he was an utter donkey 12 months ago).

And…..

Yeah fuck off Arma. Has there been any mentioned from the club about Aribo and Edozie? I just hate this playing style, possession and positional play based. I enjoy chaos and runners beyond the ball carrier and back line.

Stream being an absolute twat and buffering every 22 seconds. and a goal.. brilliant

Any streams at all?

This... Ryan Mannings reaction was 100% to this. I think I saw Flynn react to his touch off the ball too.

The other element I would be exploring is; Is it that the coaches are working with him, tasking him to impose himself to their ball carriers, runs beyond and his learning IQ is too low? or there's an arrogance that he thinks he doesn't need to do that. or (and one I'm also leaning towards) The standard of coaching intervention and feedback is poor. Which would fit with the narrative of Captain Crankypants (Still) of not having enough time on the training ground?

Trying not to let my frustration of Macca's mistake (another) and anger towards Damion Downs impact this reflection. It was a very good performance... I really liked Jelert and there seemed to be an increased intensity to second and third man runs beyond the ball. Not sure if anyone else agrees but slightly concerned at the potential impact of dropping Robinson may have on his game short term. Good effort and unfortunate to lose. Hugo Ekitike clearly rattled by the Isak arrival with that celebration.

He's arguably one of the poorest players I've ever watched. There's no football IQ and the technical ability is appalling. So naturally, you'd assume we're banking on his athletic profile of 6ft4 and developing that. As a fan, I'm angry at his performance as a player and the clubs recruitment. As someone who dabbled in talent ID for a very brief period, he wouldn't of passed the provisional screening (watch before you add to a pool for further reporting and observations) for League Two club.

Fuck me if you haven’t already seen it, go and watch the third goal scored Diego Gomez for Brighton.

I swear I heard Matterface say that Liverpool can call on the likes of Salah, Szoboszlai off the bench. has he had another stinker?

Fav of the night so far.

Matterface having a stinker. ”Fellows is unavailable tonight” he’s on the bench. ”Shane Log scored the winner in a Ralph Hasenhuttl Saints side in the first leg, who would go on and feature in the final”.

I’m going full MLG here. ‘Going long’ is a form of playing out from the back. Playing out from the back is often confused with playing/building through the thirds. Right up there with half space.

Would love to slip in to a parallel universe and see if there would be any difference if his brothers followed him into the club. Nothing that hasn’t been said already but seriously unimpressed with him. Felt like there was an imposter syndrome when I saw the training camp video in London.

Whole thing was shite. Atmosphere was crap, really thought Pompey would be louder (Wrexham out did them) and as for us… other than the build up and first couple of minutes. All too worried by the game to sing. In the first half, the two playing patterns were crap (Archer vs Shaugnassy) and THB to Manning for round the corner for Fraser. Azaz was infuriating, Boro fans feedback of him hiding in big games come to mind. Downes coward in the first half, hid behind their blockers. Will Still being bit of whopper didn’t help. Robinson change came too late, he would’ve carried the ball forward. Referee was awful. my chips were cold. and can we please get that Dawson out.. I arsehole goes back into itself when I see him. As it stands, they’re one up on us whether we like or not and January is going to be hideous.

Good spot from you sir.