Saint86

BLM is significantly divisive. And people behaving like this is point in case.

She isn't a nice bit of work lets be honest 🤷‍♂️, but then she's also not unique in that regard when it comes to extreme political activists. Who knows, maybe she'll be lucky enough to make a fully recovery, adjust her outlook to become less angry and intolerant. What was a good gesture was all the clubs etc boycotting social media to make a point about social networks harbouring racists. That wasn't politically aligned, it was stronger communal action by the football community, and its didn't draw any negative fan pressures. Funny that. Like it or not, the issue here is BLM UK perceived messaging in football, and by attachment, kneeling down and raising a fist. That and people's inability to have a respectful conversation with those of a different outlook rather than insulting each other.

I agree. But to add to the recruitment at older ages part - this doesn't change the fact that a given 12year old player would have been recruited into a poorer youth setup re coaching quality, facilities, and youth player quality/ability wise. There is no way an 12year old coached at a poorer level for the first few years has the same chance of reaching an equivalent level as one who gets top quality coaching since the get go. This is where we have been coming from in all reality. And yes, the club don't openly say that, but there have been signs that they know it an acknowledge it for a few years now. Not least by the way we have been picking up older players that don't make the grade elsewhere. I think the fans have to be realistic about this. It simply isn't a reasonable expectation that a club that went through administration and time spent in league 1 and the championship is going to keep churning out youth players with the same success we had previously. But it is the club ethos to develop young players, and hopefully that is where we get back to.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hpaOEA-4l0-37iiJjt3DXpgkTel6VGOU/view Ranks in the lowest 10% of full backs (from the big 5 leagues) with regards to attackers dribbling past him. Quality. Although he is good at dispossessing players during a pressing action and comes top 6% for tackles per game. I guess this is fine provided we are always attacking and pressing the opposition and he never has a skilful winger running at him in a defensive position..... ^_^ Weakest 8% of full backs for aerial duels - no surprise there. Dribble success rate in the bottom 35%, but does gets a lot of crosses in Reading that, he's basically a winger with a some semblance of defensive play ^_^ Almost like a good valery 🤪

A lot of the academy set up got poached or wasn't as well supported. Kids join the club at 8years old, so 12 years on that's the 20year olds - of which fans oft like to remind us "they aren't very good". But we got back to the prem about 10years ago now, which will have given us the draw, funding and stability to both recruit better prospects and train them better - so i personally would expect to start seeing some good 18year olds coming through soon.

No we couldn't. And in a summer where we stand a good chance to lose Vestergard and Ings, we don't go and sell our club captain who happens to be one of our best and most consistent performers.

Current market is fairly irrelevant to saints unless the owner decides to try and force a sale. He's on a 5year contract so we've got a year or two unless JWP himself kicks off🤷‍♀️ - which i think is unlikely.

He has very good all round stats for both defensive and attacking play whilst playing a predominantly central/defensive role. It is not his fault he doesn't get into goal scoring positions when he is playing his part in a very strict tactical setup. And as for killer balls, he sits joint 16th for key passes per game, which is level with players like Maddison who are far more attacking and playing in better sides. Or did you expect him to be above players like KDB, Mount, Salah etc? 🧐 He's our 3rd highest scorer (with 8 goals) and most creative player (with 7 assists) - both stats from the league. On top of that he is one of the best set piece specialists in world football and extremely fit and reliable. And he manages all that playing in a relatively poor side. Not sure what else you expect, he's turning into a very complete central midfielder.

Yes it can. People shouldn't be surprised that we have "league 1 level output" 10years on from being in administration and sitting in the 3rd tier. And after our academy setup was picked apart during our slide down the leagues. Its like stating the bleedin obvious... And the club acknowledged indirectly with all that stuff about picking over released players looking for hidden attributes and trying to sign some for the academy. Prime example being Tella.

Henderson has already embarrassed himself with his antics last night and his arrogant interview afterwards. Can imagine there are a lot players in the squad who are wondering why he's there. DCL for one must think he's a right pillock.

Ben White it is then, absolute error from Southgate after last night especially. Every time England get a free kick or corner, large parts of the fanbase will be calling for JWP - and when England eventually get knocked out after a lacklustre performance vs a better side, Southgate will have absolutely nowhere to hide from his selection cock ups. There is a silver lining in all this. JWP gets a rest and hopefully he doesn't feel he needs to leave to get international recognition. And hopefully England do absolutely awful, because there is no way Southgate can be the man to take us into 2022.

Yup, we're going to play either a 4-5-1 or 5 at the back, and play counter attacking hit and run football. As with the world cup, this will work vs the poorer sides, but as soon as we come up against a Belgium / France etc they will simply out play us and win. If we aren't going to win the euros (which we won't barring a tactical miracle happening in Southgate's head),we actually need England to do badly enough for GS to get sacked. He cannot be allowed to take England into the world cup his current performances as a manager. We're entering a new golden generation - please don't let us waste it with Southgate.

She does look related to him.... but not sure how the apples have fallen like they have 🤣 https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-reactions-evra-brings-up-wilfried-zahas-alleged-fling-with-moyes-daughter-20200919

Except he was banging moyes' daughter at United... (allegedly).

Our shirt has a different stripe configuration to Brentford's as well (the opposite in fact), plus additional black trim, a collar, and a different back. Given the fact that their kit is predominantly white with red stripes, and ours is predominantly red with white stripes, i really struggle to see the fuss. People are acting like they've taken the sportsbet sponsor off our shirt and stuck on Brentford's sponsor.... I bet united fans are fuming that they've copied crew or Barnsley's etc kits for years. We play in red and white stripes (some of the time). Think it says a lot that fans have to get upset over our kids shirt being too similar to another team's kit.... Crikey!! That's a low bar for complaints about future kits....

A multimillionaire could do a lot with a street terraced houses 😅

Bad news for us if so. That's another team we're unlikely to finish above.

It really isn't. He's done little all season and Walker and James are better than him right now. He isn't the player from last season. He's been picked because Klopp QQ'd a river and it just goes to show the risks of picking players that have had injury issues over the course of the season. Also, why is tripper in the squad 🤣

TAA now injured and unable to walk off around the pitch without 2 guys holding up. Quality pick there Gareth at least Klopp won't be able to moan at you for picking him...

So just looked at it. We've got 2 strikers. If Kane gets injured or suspended our tournament hopes are as good as over. DCL is simply not good enough. Let alone Kane simply getting tired. How can we go with a 26 man squad and not pick suitable cover in the most pivotal area? At this point Watkins, Bamford and ings etc have been dropped for sako, a 3rd/4th right back, and sancho (when we already have sterling, rashford, grealish, foden, Mount). That's essentially 7 possible wingers in 2 spots 😆. As for right backs. TAA, walker, tripper, James... Why are there 10 defenders, 4 right backs and 7 wingers 🙈... like wtf. With our attacking talent we should be one of the clear favourites for this tournament - reckon the minimum we should be expecting is semis or finals. But we are very blatantly about to turn up and play with 4/5 defenders and two central midfielders. At least we'll have some quality counter attacking wins vs minnows like the Czechs and Scotland to look forward to. My biggest fear is that we are predictably shite but progress far enough for Southgate to get to the world Cup and waste yet another generation of talented players. FFS.

When are our away and 3rd kits being released?

Man ffs. I've always had a little soft spot for Wrexham and was thinking i'd start following them (as my lower league team - along with Bristol Rovers) under Deadpool's stewardship. Is there no escaping Les F'ing Reed?

I suspect he's just keeled over to be honest.

Agreed. Its bad enough that Southgate is a bang average manager with next to no tactical nuance. Watching him mismanage that squad in the big games is so hard. But if he then drops Ings for Watkins and DCL, and JWP for Philips i'll be supporting St Stu and St Adams.

Sounds like he's missed out then. Harsh if true.