for_heaven's_Saint

Even if we do win it it’ll be in spite of Still, not because of him.

lol Stephens gets run past like he’s not even there in his first involvement. Fuck off

RE 5 atb- I'm not sure we have much choice with such a lack of CMs. Don't think he would've played 4 any way mind you.

Yep Still said he was injured in his press conference. Agree with everything else you've said too. Really want it to work out but he only has himself to blame if he keeps making this many changes and it doesn't.

Not sure Quarshie deserves to come back in to be honest. That seems to be the only unenforced change.

The formation, the style of play and the subs are all shit.

I think it’s as much about style of play as personnel. If our only style of play is long balls to the striker or getting it wide and crossing in the air, it doesn’t really matter who we play there.

I’ve been reluctant to criticise Still because I thought he needed time and I also like the way he speaks in the media. But I am really starting to have major doubts; he’s supposed to be a pragmatic manager, yet he insists on playing a style that doesn’t suit our players and he doesn’t seem to have any other game plan except get it out wide and cross it in. We have a squad that is comfortably top 6 in this league but at the moment we look like anyone could beat us. We need massive improvements and soon.

True, but I also thought Downes and Jander worked really well together at Anfield. If it’s Charles again I won’t be upset though- he’s had a good start to the season. I’d love to see us find a formation that can fit all 3 of them in and allow us to play with a proper attacking front 3 but probably not going to happen.

Haha fair point. But still don’t think we had a grip of the game despite taking the lead.

I’d still like us to find a way to make 4 at the back work so we can get more of our best attackers in their natural positions. I’d also like to see Still make substitutions that change the game in our favour. For me, the definite names on the team sheet should be: McCarthy, Wood, Jander, Stewart and Armstrong. All the rest are up for debate imo, including who plays with Jander.

Yep, outstanding save and made another good one later too.

Nathan Wood was outstanding today and Ross Stewart did exactly what we needed from him plus a couple of good finishes. I think Jander looks a really class player and will only get better.

For now we really just need Stewart to win some headers, hold the ball up and bring others in to play. That’ll be 10 times more than Downs.

I’m assuming that when we’re defending it’s Edwards at RB and going forward it becomes a 3 with Manning pushing on.

His attempts at winning headers were absolutely abysmal too. Twice he half challenged, ducked out of it and the ball hit him on the back.

Skates gonna be in the stadium for a long time. Was there any confirmation if we’re serving them beer?

Anyone know of other pubs opening at 9? Also wondering what time the fan zone etc will be open and serving beers.

Very true. Still think you’d get a lot smaller walk up.

The club would obviously prefer both Aribo and Edozie to leave in the next few days but if they don’t I would like to see them both challenging for a place in the first team squad. As far as we know, neither have ever caused any issues so we might as well use them if they don’t go.

Eastleigh is a pain in the arse to get to, especially if you want a beer before or after. If the women’s team played there I’m fairly sure they’d get significantly smaller attendances than they do at St Mary’s.

Robinson looking good for England U19s.

Gotta get the deadwood shifted early to give us a chance to get one or two more in by the 7 o’clock deadline tomorrow. Hopefully we will have news of a couple of outgoings today.

Like others have said, I’d have Mccarthy in there. Manning is a weird one- on the one hand his set pieces have been really good but I still think he’s very suspect defensively, particularly in a 4. Depends how good this new lad from Galatasaray is at left back.

I’m just holding out hope that, from the Pompey game onwards, we will see a completely different set up with 4 at the back and much more control of games and chance creation. If that happens I can forget about this month where he’s had to be more ‘pragmatic’. If it doesn’t or we continue to look so disjointed I’ll be a bit worried.