Joe Aribo

[Wade Garrett]

4 minutes ago, thesaint sfc said:

Totally 100% agree. 

Fraser looked knackered from the start yesterday. Brooks should have come on at half time.

Stu Armstrong looked absolutely knackered and should have come off earlier for Rothwell (who I thought played well) but Aribo looked absolutely fine and every time he had the ball we looked threatening. We were only progressing up the pitch through Aribo and Stu and he takes them both off. Absolutely diabolical. RM pisses me off as a manager and as a person.

You’re preaching to the converted my friend.  Absolute fraud of a manager.

[Osvaldorama]

32 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

He was probably our best player yesterday, then got subbed by the idiot.

I thought the same.. made absolutely no sense to take him off. He still looked fresh 

[badgerx16]

8 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

You’re preaching to the converted my friend.  Absolute fraud of a manager.

His track record was clear to see, his greatest achievement as manager was to have the third highest possession percentage in Europe whilst finishing 13th in League 1.

[VectisSaint]

23 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said:

On the basis we’re definitely finishing 4th, plus we’re definitely going to lose to a team in better form in the playoffs, what’s the harm in sticking him in now?

Its not nailed on that we will finish 4th, though likely, the only thing nailed on is that we will finish in the top 6. But, given autos are no longer realistically achievable now, the target must be to win as many as possible until the end of the season, so as to be the in-form team going into the play-offs. Taking our foot off of the pedal now and coasting toward the play-offs is a sure-fire way of failing at that hurdle. Hopefully Leicester will finish 3rd, and with WBA and Norwich in there we could still go up (if you see going up as a positive of course). But winning mentality in the last few games has to be the priority, including Leicester and Leeds, get out of the habit and we will be sunk.

[Harry_SFC]

For me Aribo should be in the side every week. Overall he is a much better player than Smallbone. 

[Whitey Grandad]

13 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

For me Aribo should be in the side every week. Overall he is a much better player than Smallbone. 

Who isn’t?

[S-Clarke]

Yeah Aribo was really good last night, he didn't seem to be struggling physically - but then we don't have the full info on that.

We certainly went to the piss once he wasn't in midfield though. Even at 2-2 we were still in the ascendancy, but for me those 2 subs on 80ish mins effectively lost us the game. (Rothwell and Smallbone)

Edited 2 April, 2024 by S-Clarke

[gammon cheeks]

46 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

For me Aribo should be in the side every week. Overall he is a much better player than Smallbone. 

100%

[coalman]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Yeah Aribo was really good last night, he didn't seem to be struggling physically - but then we don't have the full info on that.

We certainly went to the piss once he wasn't in midfield though. Even at 2-2 we were still in the ascendancy, but for me those 2 subs on 80ish mins effectively lost us the game. (Rothwell and Smallbone)

Aribo has added pace and phsyciality to his weirdly hypnotic skills this season. He looks like a proper central midfielder. Able to win the ball, break with it or hit a pass these days.

[rooney]

14 hours ago, coalman said:

Aribo has added pace and phsyciality to his weirdly hypnotic skills this season. He looks like a proper central midfielder. Able to win the ball, break with it or hit a pass these days.

Our most improved player by a mile this season.

[pimpin4rizeal]

He has a bit of everything .. really superb versatile skill set .. I’d still like to see him in the false 9 think he will thrive there and be a huge upgrade on che . But this position is also fine .. he can play anywhere 

[austsaint]

46 minutes ago, rooney said:

Our most improved player by a mile this season.

I made the claim before the Ipswich game that he's a better attacking mid option than WS, and I think he proved the point.   Just has a greater set of skills and attributes, and speeds our attacking game up a gear.   He has improved, but most of all he is like a number of our players - very good at Championship level; not quite up to it at Prem level.

[chownie20]

My team, most of whom are Ipswich fans, reckoned he was head and shoulders our best player. He is looking good isn't he.

[Suhari]

Bumping this.

Simply because he's done well. Very solid and reliable. 

Not the creativity I expected, but a good player for us.

Well done big boy.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

4 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Bumping this.

Simply because he's done well. Very solid and reliable. 

Not the creativity I expected, but a good player for us.

Well done big boy.

Agreed. Solid game yesterday

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Another player who has had to pick up other duties this season, and done well. He was versatile at Rangers, but not from the deeper positions we've asked him to pick up a lot. His all round game has improved this season.

Edited 27 May, 2024 by Holmes_and_Watson

[SNSUN]

He has an almost unique, leggy way of holding on to the ball but what has surprised me most recently if his engine and, at one point for someone that looks like he's just jogging around, a huge burst of speed. He has good acceleration. He has done well and, to his credit, we've not particularly missed Stu because of him.

Is he Prem quality? I was excited when he signed but was more disappointed with him in our relegation season than anyone else but he's done enough this season to warrant being an option in the Prem next season. If not first choice then definitely as a regular squad player. His versatility will help too, as well as the fact he's left footed. And at 27, he's just entering his peak.

[Chez]

played well yesterday and has played well over the last month or two in the CM position. It has suited him better than the more forward roles. He has the strength and touch to hold the ball up when under pressure. I really liked his effort and willingness to tackle, which is not something I thought he had in his locker. Big step up. Boy would it be great if he could make it. We look thin in the middle so we might need him to.

Edited 28 May, 2024 by Chez

[S-Clarke]

He came in around Christmas time didn't he? He was a bit part in the first part of the season, but made the place his own since Dec.

He's not playing what I'd say he was signed for either, he seems really effective for us in that 8/dynamic 6 type role. Very strong and his use of the ball in tight spaces opens up so much for us.

[BERMUDASAINT]

I hope he can perform like he did in the last few month in the chamoionship. 

 

The statistics that prove Joe Aribo can step up in the Premier League

Southampton’s midfield trio of Downes, Smallbone and Aribo was so successful because it had a blend of tenacity, creativity and skill.

Downes often sat in front of the defence while his teammates were given license to maraud forward, a part of the game that Aribo excels at.

When comparing him against other midfielders in the Championship, the powerful midfielder is levels ahead of his peers, especially for his explosive ball-carrying, passing range and ability to receive the ball in tight spaces.

As highlighted by FBref, Aribo ranks in the top 9% for progressive passes per 90 (7.40), the top 8% for touches (Att Pen) and the top 4% for progressive carries and progressive passes received.

[Lighthouse]

Is it too much to hope that he'll head back up to Rangers? Martin seemed to rate him when both were here.

[Chez]

6 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Is it too much to hope that he'll head back up to Rangers? Martin seemed to rate him when both were here.

Depends on his wage and contract. The interweb pointed to it being massive and with no relegation reduction, but not sure if either are true.  A year left of his contract. I'd of thought unless he'd sit tight for a year, back himself to get into Still's side and then benefit from a free transfer. 

[leesaint88]

2 minutes ago, Chez said:

Depends on his wage and contract. The interweb pointed to it being massive and with no relegation reduction, but not sure if either are true.  A year left of his contract. I'd of thought unless he'd sit tight for a year, back himself to get into Still's side and then benefit from a free transfer. 

I'm pretty sure it was noted that all first team players had a relegation clause and have done ever since the promotion back in 2012? Only pure clusterfucks like Leicester would decide to exclude them...

[Chez]

Just now, leesaint88 said:

I'm pretty sure it was noted that all first team players had a relegation clause and have done ever since the promotion back in 2012? Only pure clusterfucks like Leicester would decide to exclude them...

Yeah, I found it hard to believe that any player, no matter how good, got a contract that didn't include it. Financial suicide not to have it, as Sunderland found out with Rodwell.

[chivvy]

Think his wages will be to much for rangers.

 

[Dusic]

Aribo is a quality player at our level so not someone I would mind staying but equally can see why he may want to move on.

Certainly wouldn't be getting rid for nothing or extremely low value though - he has good availability and seems like a good character too.

The whole benefit we have as a relegated side is in theory some players who are better than the level, or at least top end quality at the level and I think Aribo is probably one of those. We will need to keep some of our better players.

Edited Saturday at 06:09 by Dusic

[goodymatt]

1 hour ago, Dusic said:

Aribo is a quality player at our level so not someone I would mind staying but equally can see why he may want to move on.

Certainly wouldn't be getting rid for nothing or extremely low value though - he has good availability and seems like a good character too.

The whole benefit we have as a relegated side is in theory some players who are better than the level, or at least top end quality at the level and I think Aribo is probably one of those. We will need to keep some of our better players.

I agree at championship level he is decent. Aribo, Downes and Charles is quite a physically strong set of midfield options which you’d think would suit Still’s style. If we were to surprisingly keep Fernandes, then Aribo doesn’t get in. Smallbone I’m not sure is the right profile for Still but I’m sure we will find out in pre season.

[beatlesaint]

Big wage earner, very average player, may well be more of an asset in the Championship as shown before but painfully slow and I'm not sure that fits the WS way so hopefully he'll be gone.

[HarvSFC]

Aribo doesn't fit the new system. Doesn't work hard enough off the ball.

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

Big wage earner, very average player, may well be more of an asset in the Championship as shown before but painfully slow and I'm not sure that fits the WS way so hopefully he'll be gone.

 

1 hour ago, HarvSFC said:

Aribo doesn't fit the new system. Doesn't work hard enough off the ball.

Yes unfortunately I have to agree that overall Aribo is not of the quality we require to improve the 1st team to match Still’s methods. I think he’s good enough to be a bench warmer, however his salary is probably not conducive to a bit part role. While he’s not got the engine to operate forwards or in a box to box role, he does understand the game and sometimes that can be a big positive in a more defensive setting. With other more pressing player exits such as Manning, he would be one of the last out the door.

[Midfield_General]

The best centre back we’ve got 

[Galway saint]

21 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Is it too much to hope that he'll head back up to Rangers? Martin seemed to rate him when both were here.

One of the few players who has some physical presence - thought he was decent in the championship