Daft Kerplunk

We may win but fuck me, we are ABSOLUTELY SHITE

This article (like Tony Pulis or not) shows how difficult it will be for a new manager/head coach in a set up like Saints, which is a fairly embeded set-up like the one he talks about. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c781v7zz0w2o It all has to be aligned for it to work well and that is something we have spectacularly failed at so far.

More likely to be Heir Flick

Sorry, I missed where I said Still was in my post, can you show me? 😎

Who, like pretty much everyone at the club, he fell out with. Ralph even pissed off the most agreeable staff used to dealing with nonsense from what I heard and nobody missed him when he left. Ralph or Lego returning would not be good. Sport Republic will struggle to get it right unless they accept some significant changes to the way they operate and I am not sure their arrogance will allow that.

1. ChristopheVAFC is now a valued member of this forum 2. Nothing that couldn't have happened without it 3. Nothing that couldn't have happened without it Jason Wilcox favoured a possession approach so that worked for Russell Martin. Spors is on record as wanting a more direct style but the players at Saints are a confusing mix of people that clearly are not gelling, or worse, unmotivated with no concern at being so crap. Sport Republic themselves are a toxic mix of confused, deluded and arrogant.

For people with reasonable exposure to those in the know to be commenting on interference then there are probably some legs in it. It's unlikely that there are those forcing formations etc. but there are probably other elements being influential such as the player and sport science teams having an influence on who is available, how they're performing and what formations work best for the players available. These people who are on lower salaries are probably more likely to follow any senior influence too. I don't know if this is happening or not but the world of football has moved on significantly from the days of the manager being responsible for how all things work with the team. There are many voices, and this may lead to indecision, being unsure, not trusting your instincts etc. Still was probably appointed on the basis that he's a young coach who might be more amenable to this approach. He is also young and in the position this football club is in right now, you'd need a very power and capable head coach/manager to go against the wishes of those in charge. You see this at bigger football teams than Saints where it's widely acknowledged that the owners, and boards have an influence on decisions and the first team coach/manager changes frequently. Any next head coach is just going to be the head of the first team football department, and not the type manager that is increasinlgly rare.

I'll change my wife before I change my football team.

The atmosphere and situation for the players is almost certainly very cosy, from the fans but also at the club where they'll still be treated like deities of some kind. Not that it is easy to avoid being like this as the players have become used to being treated like little princes, and wouldn't adapt to an environment with higher expectations on them to not be so entitled and earn their millionaire lifestyle. This is all about the character and on paper, players may be able to play football, but for years, there has been a problem with our players attitude towards just being good at their job. Where's the desire to win and show up? The manager has responsibility to a degree but the players are letting themselves down consistently. That's endemic and Will Still leaving isn't going to change that situation.

Classic McMansion

Semmens was an incredible bullshitter for sure. He convinced many he was great because he spoke well but he landed us with this lot, and he was behind the Gao takeover too. He was the architect of where we find ourselves and no mistake.

Last season, we were one of the worst teams in top flight histopry. We have won 4 games in 17 months. Last season inevitably has had an impact on the football club and Will Still doesn;t seem like the sort of person that is going to get the club back in a more positive state. BUT, who could? Sport Republic are shambolic, the coaching staff and recruitment staff are dog shit because for the occasional Fernandes that is a lovely player to have, there's a Downs in a position where we desperately needed quality. Utterly inept people running the football club and there is zero chance they get anything right. If Dragan wants the club to succeed, he is probably going to have to have some bollocks and part with the likes of Ankerson etc. and start all over again. We are only going in one direction and it isn't up.

It's like he's watching the game on TV and there's a broadcast delay, and he's taken some strong analgesic cough medicine

I think we all know the club's approach of only looking at possible resale value is flawed and Damion Downs is looking like the next in a long line of poor recruitment choices. However, as a human being, he does not deserve any abuse though, he is a Spors signing so Spors is the person who should accept responsibility and take the deserved shit based on what Downs has shown so far.

Seasoned pros yes, but I don't see, or have never seen evidence of these players being 'leaders.' Apart from Roselev and Wood who we haven't seen enough yet, these are players who go or have gone missing when things get tough. or in the case of Stephens, get sent off. Just because someone has played for a long time doesn't automatically make them leaders in the way they need to be. None of the above players are or ever have been players that drive the team on.

not sure, but he does have a pineapple on it

and how bad it was too

Decent showing, McCarthy always a brain fart away from a fuck up. Liverpool obviously don't need to sit deep (low block for those who use fancy new terms) against us, which many teams in the Championship will so that's the test once we get back to the league after this little free hit. Plenty of food for thought for Will with many of the players tonight showing more than the first teamers selected so far.

He's young so probably doesn't have one yet but I can't imagine he saw Downs and thought, yes, that's the player for me to make a difference. Spors, go get him for me. Spors, the Barclays IT guy and Rasmus will stay in good jobs whilst the front man gets the chop for not being able to get a decent tune out of the bin fire he's been given.

Seems that the wonks at Sport Republic believe they've cracked football in the same way Les did when it comes to signing players. The biggest failing of all is not signing decent forwards or creative players, and after last season's abject failure to score goals, it is amazing that a strong centre forward or two wasn't the number one priority. We needed creative players as well but our forwards are nowhere near good enough. Their biggest failing is not learning what they need to prioritise and that is probably down to the same arrogance shown by Les that they didn't need to learn because they already know everything they need to. Imagine spending the amount of money they have and still not being close to where they need to be. Embarrassment to themselves.

There seem to be quite a few comments on here about Will Still buying the players. That's not how football works in 2025 lads; a committee makes the decision and that'll include some tech nerds who've probably never stepped on grass with a ball nearby but they sure know data sets. Not saying he's setting the world alight but the players at his disposal have been signed for him to work with, not that he has chosen the players himself to coach.

You appear to have forgotten that we went on a run of barely scoring goals under Puel. We had better players under Puel but on more than one occasion we were absolutely dreadful. The appointments since are more indicative of the people running things, not that he was the right manager.

Some positives on paper, looks like we should get more goal contribution from midfield, which will be needed to balance the weakness of our front line options. Better defending as a unit and more attacking pressure on the opposition should mean Baz is less exposed and hopefully the GK coach will help him improve. Shame we had to lose Fernandes, really good that we got rid of a heap of players who've had negligible impact, still a few left so perhaps they'll go on loan. A decent war chest seems to be there should we need additional players in January for a promotion push. An optimistic 6.5

Anyone criticising this squad is utterly wrong, as many of the forum said this was a squad good enough for top positions 😂😂😂 They were good enough 2 years ago after all. I was good in bed 2 years ago, now I can't even get it up; things get worse as you get older 😂 literally, not idiomatically. Where I would agree with people like @Farmer Saint is that it was a team built for the Championship. Spors, you have much to do old bean.

also needs to learn how transfers work and that in 2025, the manager isn't the one determining fees or transfer policy isolation. Then think about how relegation and points total have no impact on transfer fees. Thick. As. Mince.