Saints 1-0 Arsenal - Match Thread

[John Boy Saint]

As our Nige would say draw a blue line under it and move on 

Well I have exhausted my supply of lucky underpants - so I guess I had better find a new pair. But now I’ve corrupted that idea with hopefully starting the next match thread.

Here we have another game where the visitors will be smarting from a couple of wrong results - we just have to hope that we are smarting enough from a home humbling to put on a performance we know is lurking beneath the surface 

 

[Sarisbury Saint]

Our players should be ashamed of today’s performance, the least they can do is show some fight for this one.

Two or three players to change for this Game.

Broja, Redmond and Peraud to start.

 

[OttawaSaint]

I feel about as interested in this game as the players did in today's game...

[Micky]

Arsenal ain't got a chance.  Our lot will be champing at the bit to put right the wrongs of the Chelsea game, and to prove what great professionals they are.  With our free flowing play and deadly strike force I can see only an easy Saints win.  Saints 5 Arsenal 0.

[AlexLaw76]

Who has not scored in an age for Arsenal?

put a cheeky 5er on them to get 1

[Chris cooper]

Surley not ruining Easter hols watching our clowns 🤡 get another drubbing ! Do wot they are already doing and get yourselves to the beach 🏖 suppose to be nice 👍🏻 ☀️

[bpsaint]

I’d bring Stephens in for this, yes he has his limitations but at least he seems to actually give a shit.

Redmond in for Moi as well. Perraud at LB, KWP at RB. Hopefully Ralph doesn’t think Smallbone, AA or Long should be starting.

[FarehamSaintJames]

Just seen the goals, what an utter shitshow that was.

Drop Bednarek altogether, useless, weak, bang average. Salisu was poor too but I’d rather keep him in over JB.

Forster; KWP, Valery, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; JWP, Romeu, Diallo; Adams, Broja

Bring in Valery, he is unpredictable at CB but I’d rather have him over predictably poor JB. Wing backs playing on their correct sides. Spine of a midfield to match Arsenal. Two up top. If we need more creativity we have Moi, Stu, AA and Redmond on the bench.

Go strong with five at the back and a spine across midfield and we might keep it under five goals.

Edited 10 April, 2022 by FarehamSaintJames

[Turkish]

Should get a reaction to this so feeling optimistic 0-4 Arsenal 

[whelk]

Arsenal odds 19/20 to win. Paddy Power had Chelsea at same price before yesterday. Have they got some rogue analyst there setting the odds?

[Sarisbury Saint]

Scrap this crap 4222 formation to start with. 

[alehouseboys]

Arteta after yesterday's defeat:

"We didn’t show enough purpose, speed, momentum, we didn’t generate anything that we wanted to do....please let our next match be against Southampton.......please let our next match be against Southampton.......please let our next match be against Southampton..."

[nta786]

5 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Who has not scored in an age for Arsenal?

put a cheeky 5er on them to get 1

Lacazette… Only has 2 goals in 17 PL games and both were penalties.

In fact, would anyone like to guess who he last scored against from open play?

 

Edited 10 April, 2022 by nta786

[John Boy Saint]

2 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:Bring in Valery, he is unpredictable at CB but I’d rather have him over predictably poor JB. .

I thought when Valery came on he looked like he was the only one thinking about the job at hand  - actually the last few times he has stepped into the back line he hasn’t looked any worse than what was already there. He also looks like he has filled out a bit.

 

[Sarisbury Saint]

56 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

I thought when Valery came on he looked like he was the only one thinking about the job at hand  - actually the last few times he has stepped into the back line he hasn’t looked any worse than what was already there. He also looks like he has filled out a bit.

 

I thought that. He also appeared to be giving Salisu a well deserved bollocking.

[JRM]

1 hour ago, John Boy Saint said:

I thought when Valery came on he looked like he was the only one thinking about the job at hand  - actually the last few times he has stepped into the back line he hasn’t looked any worse than what was already there. He also looks like he has filled out a bit.

 

"He hasn't looked any worse than what was already there" 

Not sure if that's a compliment.

But agree I don't worry as much as I used to when seeing his name, much better at cb than he is at rb 

[JRM]

Hard to get up for this game, likely defeat, Arsenal have to go for the win with a tough run of fixtures to come likely they'll miss out on top 4 

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, nta786 said:

Lacazette… Only has 2 goals in 17 PL games and both were penalties.

In fact, would anyone like to guess who he last scored against from open play?

 

You can double up by predicting when he will get his next goal….

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You can double up by predicting when he will get his next goal….

Dragged him into my fantasy team this week ahead of the double game week, especially the game against us. Feels wrong, but there's points at stake. 

[Dorchester Saint]

The season ended when we dropped out of the FA Cup, I have zero interest in this season now and clearly neither do the players. The squad needs a massive overhaul this summer, I hope the owners have the means to do what’s required .

Edited 10 April, 2022 by Dorchester Saint

[macca155]

10 hours ago, bpsaint said:

I’d bring Stephens in for this, yes he has his limitations but at least he seems to actually give a shit.

Redmond in for Moi as well. Perraud at LB, KWP at RB. Hopefully Ralph doesn’t think Smallbone, AA or Long should be starting.

Plus three ar the back with Valery in. As you say need players who give a shit 

[AlexLaw76]

My team, not that it will look anything like this.

 

Forster

KwP  Salisu  Stephens  Perraud

JwP Romeu Diallo

Redmond Broja Armstrong

[Dark Munster]

12 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Who has not scored in an age for Arsenal?

put a cheeky 5er on them to get 1

Aubameyang hasn't scored for them for months and months.

[Dark Munster]

9 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Drop Bednarek altogether, useless, weak, bang average. Salisu was poor too but I’d rather keep him in over JB.

Not to defend Bednarek, but Salisu was worse than "poor too", he was absolute shit yesterday, much worse than JB (and everyone else). Of the two I'd drop him.

Maybe a back 3 of Bednarek, Stephens and Valery?

[LiberalCommunist]

Just the team we don't want to play right now. This could be very painful.

That 3-0 they inflicted on us last time did not do them justice. Should have been 6 or 7.

Oh well, perhaps a rise from the dead at Easter maybe, hopefully. 

[Badger]

5 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

 

Oh well, perhaps a rise from the dead at Easter maybe, hopefully. 

or a nailed on defeat.

[John Boy Saint]

21 minutes ago, Badger said:

or a nailed on defeat.

Surely you mean Crucifixion. 😜

 

[wild-saint]

On 10/04/2022 at 01:19, OttawaSaint said:

I feel about as interested in this game as the players did in today's game...

yes agree and i have a ticket. May give it a swerve and something that i may enjoy. Although that will ultimately mean we play well and get something out of it.

[Dman]

Strangely optimistic of a result here. Arsenal are the type of team who we can cause problems if we press well. 
 

It cannot be as bad as the last game. 
 

1-1 I’m going for. Broja and Perrud coming in for Tino and Armstrong. Maybe Redmond or Tella for Moi

[Ashby Saint]

On 10/04/2022 at 07:48, AlexLaw76 said:

Who has not scored in an age for Arsenal?

put a cheeky 5er on them to get 1

Gabriel seems a fantasy football nailed-on selection for clean sheet and a goal.

[waylander]

14 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Aubameyang hasn't scored for them for months and months.

That would be because he doesn't play for them any longer.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12587739/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-on-target-again-as-barcelona-sink-levante-late-on-european-round-up

[Saint Mikey]

4 minutes ago, waylander said:

That would be because he doesn't play for them any longer.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12587739/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-on-target-again-as-barcelona-sink-levante-late-on-european-round-up

That comment 'whooshed' so quickly over your head - it must have given you a haircut! 😉

[AlexLaw76]

13 minutes ago, adriansfc said:

We'll improve but lose. 0-2. 

Arsenal have too much to play for and too much quality for us when we're below 100% effort levels. 

Ralph will probably respond by picking dross ike Valery and Smallbone or Long. 

I'd go:

Forster

KWP Stephens Salisu Perraud

JWP Romeu Diallo

Armstrong Broja Tella

 

 

I almost agree (I had Redmond instead of Tella, but either would fit)

We wont see that, or anything like that.  It will 442 (or even 4 diamond 2, noting what he tried at Leeds).

Either way, we will surrender the middle of the park and push really high.  We are not in the right form to cater for that.

[Nemi]

For me, injuries allowing, I’d go:

 

Forster

KWP Bednarek Salisu Perraud

JWP Romeu

Armstrong Redmond Elyounoussi 

Broja

 

We haven’t created decent opportunity in gods knows how long so there’s really no point having two strikers on the pitch when they barely get a touch of the ball.

 

Would even think about throwing in Diallo possibly at CDM considering Romeu and JWP (Leeds free-kick aside) have been pretty poor recently.

 

Can’t see us getting anything for this no matter who plays though to be honest.

 

Edited 11 April, 2022 by Nemi

[Teddeer]

Martinelli will tear us apart.

[AlexLaw76]

Arsenal win with Lacazette to score anytime.  Surely that is the insurance bet for weekend?

[eurosaint]

On 10/04/2022 at 08:21, bpsaint said:

I’d bring Stephens in for this, yes he has his limitations but at least he seems to actually give a shit.

Redmond in for Moi as well. Perraud at LB, KWP at RB. Hopefully Ralph doesn’t think Smallbone, AA or Long should be starting.

Tbf, when he came on he showed more in his short spell than Moi did throughout the match (not saying much I know) !

[Sarisbury Saint]

3 hours ago, adriansfc said:

We'll improve but lose. 0-2. 

Arsenal have too much to play for and too much quality for us when we're below 100% effort levels. 

Ralph will probably respond by picking dross ike Valery and Smallbone or Long. 

I'd go:

Forster

KWP Stephens Salisu Perraud

JWP Romeu Diallo

Armstrong Broja Tella

 

 

Not Adam Armstrong I hope ?

[JRM]

Does anyone know why they are allowed to show Liverpool v Man City in the FA Cup semi final at 3.30pm live on BBC on Saturday? 

There used to be a rule against showing games between 3pm - 5pm on a Saturday, perhaps they've been allowed as lower leagues are mostly playing on good Friday. 

I might ask Saints if they can show it on the big screens so we can have something to keep us entertained if it all goes wrong again

 

[CB Fry]

6 minutes ago, JRM said:

Does anyone know why they are allowed to show Liverpool v Man City in the FA Cup semi final at 3.30pm live on BBC on Saturday? 

There used to be a rule against showing games between 3pm - 5pm on a Saturday, perhaps they've been allowed as lower leagues are mostly playing on good Friday. 

I might ask Saints if they can show it on the big screens so we can have something to keep us entertained if it all goes wrong again

 

Looks like Good Friday has a full schedule for the EFL and the National League so its not a normal Saturday. Interesting that the 3pm Prem games still happening though.

[Alan Sugarfree]

2 hours ago, JRM said:

Does anyone know why they are allowed to show Liverpool v Man City in the FA Cup semi final at 3.30pm live on BBC on Saturday? 

There used to be a rule against showing games between 3pm - 5pm on a Saturday, perhaps they've been allowed as lower leagues are mostly playing on good Friday. 

I might ask Saints if they can show it on the big screens so we can have something to keep us entertained if it all goes wrong again

 

It is so that when we’re 4 down after 20 minutes again this Saturday and all leave, we can have something to watch immediately when we get back to the pub 

[John Boy Saint]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Looks like Good Friday has a full schedule for the EFL and the National League so its not a normal Saturday. Interesting that the 3pm Prem games still happening though.

Been that way for a while in the EFL games on Good Friday and Easter Monday - Donkeys years ago in the days of Nick Holmes in the old money 1st division pretty certain we played Friday then Monday over Easter.

That cup game could well be due to the furore about both Liverpool and City fans not being able to use the railways to get to the game due to engineering - The FA were getting serious stick over it from all quarters - don't even know what time it was originally scheduled - to guess if 3:30 is a bit of a concession from the FA  

[bpsaint]

9 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

Been that way for a while in the EFL games on Good Friday and Easter Monday - Donkeys years ago in the days of Nick Holmes in the old money 1st division pretty certain we played Friday then Monday over Easter.

That cup game could well be due to the furore about both Liverpool and City fans not being able to use the railways to get to the game due to engineering - The FA were getting serious stick over it from all quarters - don't even know what time it was originally scheduled - to guess if 3:30 is a bit of a concession from the FA  

Wasn’t that long ago and we’d be playing on the Saturday and Easter Monday. Seems that tradition might have come to and end now?

[Kenilworthy]

12 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

Been that way for a while in the EFL games on Good Friday and Easter Monday - Donkeys years ago in the days of Nick Holmes in the old money 1st division pretty certain we played Friday then Monday over Easter.

That cup game could well be due to the furore about both Liverpool and City fans not being able to use the railways to get to the game due to engineering - The FA were getting serious stick over it from all quarters - don't even know what time it was originally scheduled - to guess if 3:30 is a bit of a concession from the FA  

In 78-79 we played West Brom at home on Good Friday, Chelsea away on the Saturday and Spurs at home on Easter Monday (3-3 draw after being 3-0 up). I think that was the last time we played on three out of the four days over Easter.

[Roo1976]

On 10/04/2022 at 07:48, AlexLaw76 said:

Who has not scored in an age for Arsenal?

put a cheeky 5er on them to get 1

only the 1?..................

[Roo1976]

11 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Wasn’t that long ago and we’d be playing on the Saturday and Easter Monday. Seems that tradition might have come to and end now?

Cricky these new bread millionaire wont have any of that dont you know.

[CB Fry]

22 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

Been that way for a while in the EFL games on Good Friday and Easter Monday - Donkeys years ago in the days of Nick Holmes in the old money 1st division pretty certain we played Friday then Monday over Easter.

That cup game could well be due to the furore about both Liverpool and City fans not being able to use the railways to get to the game due to engineering - The FA were getting serious stick over it from all quarters - don't even know what time it was originally scheduled - to guess if 3:30 is a bit of a concession from the FA  

I think you're right. There's no way the BBC would have wanted that game on at 3:30 in the afternoon - they'd have wanted a 5ish kick off to maximise viewers. So definitely a concession (rather than just play the bloody game at Old Trafford).

[Pamplemousse]

Not sure I really want to watch. We have a recent dreadful record against Arsenal as well.

[Yozzman]

11 hours ago, adriansfc said:

We'll improve but lose. 0-2. 

Arsenal have too much to play for and too much quality for us when we're below 100% effort levels.

 

They had a lot to play for against Brighton but that didn't work out too well.

[hasper57saint]

Finding it extremely difficult to whip up any enthusiasm for this match. I have this awful feeling that Saints will perform their NAAFI ( No Ambition And F all Interest) display. Come on Saints prove me wrong.