Saints 4-4 Norwich

[Saint Garrett]

5 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

When's sulemana looking to be back ? I would love to see him play rus ball, he beats people as if they were eggs and can actually score.

He'd have to want to play for the club for that to happen...

[Baird of the land]

7 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

When's sulemana looking to be back ? I would love to see him play rus ball, he beats people as if they were eggs and can actually score.

Until i actually see him and ABK back i'm still assuming their injuries are 'injuries'

[Saint Fan CaM]

It’s going to be an interesting game. I reckon on 70-80% possession and a 0-3 or 1-3 loss.

Unless of course JWP and Lavia are not all that, have been holding the team back and there’s a surge of sudden understanding of RM’s playbook resulting in a demolition of the Canaries. Stranger things.

On a side note, wishful thinking is that they’ll announce a really good incoming tomorrow AM just to lift spirits.

[Chocolate Box]

WTF, I can't watch the presser because I live in the wrong country?!  Hampshire IS the right country.

[sfc4prem]

I'm hopeful. Would like to see a response from some players after the Gillingham gore of Tuesday. Are Norwich any good?

[revolution saint]

1 hour ago, Verbal said:

Interesting snippet from an insider from another club last night: Mourinho was apparently a bit of a data nut about set pieces and spent a lot of time complaining about corners. He argued there was a slightly higher chance of the attacking team conceding from a corner than scoring from one. Also, around 40% more balls from a corner are delivered straight into the box in the Prem than with other major European league. He believed it was just a British cultural thing, and he hated committing his best defenders forward, leaving a lone full back or midfielder vulnerable to counterattack. Even he, though, had to send players forward in the usual way, presumably in some part because of fan pressure.

Long story short, maybe our new set-piece specialist coach will be looking at issues like this to exploit the apparent advantage bigger teams have at corners...

Anyway, all FWIW.

Yes, cheers for sharing.  I'm hoping the new set piece fella can sort us out, initially just to defend them properly.  The amount we've conceded is stupid considering that generally the likelihood is quite low for most clubs. 

If we can retain a bit of pace up front then counter attacking from set pieces is the icing on the cake.    

[Saint Matty 76]

Jack Stephens confirmed new captain.

[Ken Tone]

1 hour ago, Verbal said:

Interesting snippet from an insider from another club last night: Mourinho was apparently a bit of a data nut about set pieces and spent a lot of time complaining about corners. He argued there was a slightly higher chance of the attacking team conceding from a corner than scoring from one. Also, around 40% more balls from a corner are delivered straight into the box in the Prem than with other major European league. He believed it was just a British cultural thing, and he hated committing his best defenders forward, leaving a lone full back or midfielder vulnerable to counterattack. Even he, though, had to send players forward in the usual way, presumably in some part because of fan pressure.

Long story short, maybe our new set-piece specialist coach will be looking at issues like this to exploit the apparent advantage bigger teams have at corners...

Anyway, all FWIW.

I remember Strachan saying something like he was surprised referees didn't simply book Lundekvam for time-wasting every time he went up for a corner.😂

[Bad Wolf]

Think Russell confirmed last week that if JWP leaves, Stephens will be captain.

[qwertyell]

Presser: mostly Ward-Prowse platitudes; a player is expected to come on loan as part of the deal.

Stephens new captain.

For the game, sounds like no new injuries. Bella-Kotchap is still a few weeks away from match fitness - albeit ill at the moment. Hope to organise a game for him or an u21 match soon. No formal bids for him as yet, but obviously some interest. Sulemana still rehabbing a muscle injury. Has been away from the club for a few days getting specialist treatment.

Tactically, for Norwich, in terms of Prowse replacements, Martin said Smallbone can go further forward if Charles plays - and somewhat surprisingly named Adam Armstrong as a potential option in a deeper role. Not sure about that, but he reckoned it was successful in some of the preseason friendlies and I didn't see many of them.

Isn't sure about loaning out the best of the u21 crop at the moment. Thinks they'll be better off staying at the club and learning the system. Maybe have a rethink in January. Might change their minds if the "right" club comes along, that plays the same way and is promising lots of game time.

Anyway, that's about that.

Edit: oh yeah, he said Lavia's training really well - some days better than others - and generally keeping his head, considering all the noise around such a young man. But he doesn't think he'll be calling on him to start games. May or may not be in the match squad - late decision on that.

Edited 11 August, 2023 by qwertyell

[derry]

37 minutes ago, Chocolate Box said:

WTF, I can't watch the presser because I live in the wrong country?!  Hampshire IS the right country.

VPN ???

[AlexLaw76]

8 minutes ago, qwertyell said:

Presser: mostly Ward-Prowse platitudes; a player is expected to come on loan as part of the deal.

Stephens new captain.

For the game, sounds like no new injuries. Bella-Kotchap is still a few weeks away from match fitness - albeit ill at the moment. Hope to organise a game for him or an u21 match soon. No formal bids for him as yet, but obviously some interest. Sulemana still rehabbing a muscle injury. Has been away from the club for a few days getting specialist treatment.

Tactically, for Norwich, in terms of Prowse replacements, Martin said Smallbone can go further forward if Charles plays - and somewhat surprisingly named Adam Armstrong as a potential option in a deeper role. Not sure about that, but he reckoned it was successful in some of the preseason friendlies and I didn't see many of them.

Isn't sure about loaning out the best of the u21 crop at the moment. Thinks they'll be better off staying at the club and learning the system. Maybe have a rethink in January. Might change their minds if the "right" club comes along, that plays the same way and is promising lots of game time.

Anyway, that's about that.

JwP gone then.

[Chocolate Box]

7 minutes ago, derry said:

VPN ???

What is a VPN? Asking for a friend who is a technophobe.

[maysie]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

JwP gone then.

Well we knew that anyway

Edited 11 August, 2023 by maysie

[coalman]

1 minute ago, Chocolate Box said:

What is a VPN? Asking for a friend who is a technophobe.

Virtual Private Network. It can change where you're accessing the Internet from. Useful for those paranoid about their personal data or looking to get around regional restrictions for content amongst other things. Mostly websites figure out where you are based on your IP address. A VPN changes the way that looks to them.

[OttawaSaint]

FFS! If Liverpool and Chelsea can't get their shit together then why do we need to suffer the absence of Lavia?

[JRM]

Definitely has the feel of a game we'll struggle in, too much disruption around the club, unsettled starting XI plus we've got one of the worst home records in the country. Desperately need to turn that around and get some positivity back at St Mary's. 

Fantastic ticket sales, ground was basically sold out until they put on sale what Norwich returned (shame they didn't do that earlier, block 43 will now mainly just be anyone buying last minute for the game rather than those who actually want to stand / sing in that end) more tickets have been released there today so plenty of availability.  

Thought Norwich would have brought down more, maybe put off having to share the train down with West Ham fans going to Bournemouth 

 

[saintant]

This will be a very tough game but they owe us one after the shit show on Tuesday. Hoping we come storming out of the blocks and put them under pressure.

[SotonianWill]

My optimism will entirely depend on who comes into the midfield tomorrow, it must be stuart armstrong.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Chocolate Box said:

What is a VPN? Asking for a friend who is a technophobe.

In effect a VPN is like a friend that asks websites on your behalf.

[Saint Garrett]

How nice would it to go to St Mary's and have a convincing home win, with a few goals.  Home form has been awful for so long, this has to be the start of something.  I do worry about the whole club being unsettled though, and Norwich capitalising on that. 

I'd go with the following:

Bazunu;

KWP
Stephens
Bednarek
Manning

Smallbone
Charles
Alcaraz

Tella
AArmstrong
Edozie / SArmstrong

Edited 11 August, 2023 by Saint Garrett

[Appy]

12 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

How nice would it to go to St Mary's and have a convincing home win, with a few goals.  Home form has been awful for so long, this has to be the start of something.  I do worry about the whole club being unsettled though, and Norwich capitalising on that. 

I'd go with the following:

Bazunu;

KWP
Stephens
Bednarek
Manning

Smallbone
Charles
Alcaraz

Tella
AArmstrong
Edozie / SArmstrong

Would start Edozie and have S Armstrong in the midfield 3 personally but can’t grumble too much with that. 
 

In terms of the near “sell out” 

 

Have they still closed block 1?

[Saint Matty 76]

2 hours ago, JRM said:

Fantastic ticket sales, ground was basically sold out until they put on sale what Norwich returned (shame they didn't do that earlier, block 43 will now mainly just be anyone buying last minute for the game rather than those who actually want to stand / sing in that end) more tickets have been released there today so plenty of availability.

 

Bit annoying that. The block right behind the goal looks basically empty at this point, rough for atmosphere as well.

[spyinthesky]

Just found a programme for our last(?) game v Norwich 4.12.19 (7.30KO)

Ralph in charge and playing squad
McCARTHY
Cedric
Yoshida
Vestergaard
STEPHENS
Long
Ings
ADAMS
DJENEPO
Rpmeu
Jwp
ARMSTRONG,S
Boufal
Obafemi
Bertrand
Redmond
Hojberg
SMALLBONE
Gunn !!!
Vokins
Slattery
Ramsey
BEDNERAK
Danso
N'Lundulu
Lewis
Hesketh
Valery
McQueen.

We had beaten Watford the previous game after coming back from a goal down courtesy of Danny Ings and a free kick from the recently departed and much missed JWP.
This was the season where we suffered the ignominy of the 9-0 thrashing by Leicester.
It is interesting to note that Will Smallbone is the only player still on the books who made it through to the first team here from the 70 odd players in the U18 and U23 teams at the time.
 

[FarehamSaintJames]

4 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

JwP gone then.

Nothing that we didn’t know three days ago. 😂

[JRM]

3 hours ago, Saint Garrett said:

How nice would it to go to St Mary's and have a convincing home win, with a few goals.  Home form has been awful for so long, this has to be the start of something.  I do worry about the whole club being unsettled though, and Norwich capitalising on that. 

I'd go with the following:

Bazunu;

KWP
Stephens
Bednarek
Manning

Smallbone
Charles
Alcaraz

Tella
AArmstrong
Edozie / SArmstrong

Even the pre season friendly two home defeats just felt like more of the same with the crowd huffing in frustration, if I had to put a £1 on it I'd say 1-0 to Norwich with Angus Gunn man of the match 

[Mr Brightside]

Think we’ll start with the same team as last Friday, with Stu coming in for JWP (😢). 

If we play as well as we did against Wednesday, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t, we should get a result tomorrow. Boss the possession and hopefully create a few more chances. 

Really enjoyed it last week, great away day and can’t remember the last time we scored and then went straight on the attack again. And the way we dealt with the 9 mins of added time was incredible. Appreciate Norwich should be better, but a full house at home will hopefully help us.

Just hope the home faithful are patient with our patient build up and don’t get on the players backs if it’s still 0-0 after 10 minutes. Can see myself having an argument with some of the get it forward brigade tomorrow, but let’s hope not…
 

[Chez]

8 hours ago, qwertyell said:

Presser: mostly Ward-Prowse platitudes; a player is expected to come on loan as part of the deal.

Stephens new captain.

For the game, sounds like no new injuries. Bella-Kotchap is still a few weeks away from match fitness - albeit ill at the moment. Hope to organise a game for him or an u21 match soon. No formal bids for him as yet, but obviously some interest. Sulemana still rehabbing a muscle injury. Has been away from the club for a few days getting specialist treatment.

Tactically, for Norwich, in terms of Prowse replacements, Martin said Smallbone can go further forward if Charles plays - and somewhat surprisingly named Adam Armstrong as a potential option in a deeper role. Not sure about that, but he reckoned it was successful in some of the preseason friendlies and I didn't see many of them.

Isn't sure about loaning out the best of the u21 crop at the moment. Thinks they'll be better off staying at the club and learning the system. Maybe have a rethink in January. Might change their minds if the "right" club comes along, that plays the same way and is promising lots of game time.

Anyway, that's about that.

Edit: oh yeah, he said Lavia's training really well - some days better than others - and generally keeping his head, considering all the noise around such a young man. But he doesn't think he'll be calling on him to start games. May or may not be in the match squad - late decision on that.

Cheers.

When the club says 'injured and away getting specialised treatment', they mean he ain't turning up for training as he wants out, right?

[Chez]

6 hours ago, SotonianWill said:

My optimism will entirely depend on who comes into the midfield tomorrow, it must be stuart armstrong.

What about Charles or Doyle? 

[hypochondriac]

59 minutes ago, Chez said:

Cheers.

When the club says 'injured and away getting specialised treatment', they mean he ain't turning up for training as he wants out, right?

I would say so. 

[woodsaint1]

5 hours ago, spyinthesky said:

Just found a programme for our last(?) game v Norwich 4.12.19 (7.30KO)

Ralph in charge and playing squad
McCARTHY
Cedric
Yoshida
Vestergaard
STEPHENS
Long
Ings
ADAMS
DJENEPO
Rpmeu
Jwp
ARMSTRONG,S
Boufal
Obafemi
Bertrand
Redmond
Hojberg
SMALLBONE
Gunn !!!
Vokins
Slattery
Ramsey
BEDNERAK
Danso
N'Lundulu
Lewis
Hesketh
Valery
McQueen.

We had beaten Watford the previous game after coming back from a goal down courtesy of Danny Ings and a free kick from the recently departed and much missed JWP.
This was the season where we suffered the ignominy of the 9-0 thrashing by Leicester.
It is interesting to note that Will Smallbone is the only player still on the books who made it through to the first team here from the 70 odd players in the U18 and U23 teams at the time.
 

Our last game against them was a 2-0 win at home during 21/22. Battered them live on tv and could/should have been 5 or 6. Che/Romeu on the scoresheet.

Take a similar performance tomorrow

[woodsaint1]

3 hours ago, Mr Brightside said:

Think we’ll start with the same team as last Friday, with Stu coming in for JWP (😢). 

If we play as well as we did against Wednesday, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t, we should get a result tomorrow. Boss the possession and hopefully create a few more chances. 

Really enjoyed it last week, great away day and can’t remember the last time we scored and then went straight on the attack again. And the way we dealt with the 9 mins of added time was incredible. Appreciate Norwich should be better, but a full house at home will hopefully help us.

Just hope the home faithful are patient with our patient build up and don’t get on the players backs if it’s still 0-0 after 10 minutes. Can see myself having an argument with some of the get it forward brigade tomorrow, but let’s hope not…
 

Dont see how we can start with AA when he was completely ineffective last week, especially with Che getting the winner too. Charles for JWP would the only other change I would make

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

Our last game against them was a 2-0 win at home during 21/22. Battered them live on tv and could/should have been 5 or 6. Che/Romeu on the scoresheet.

Take a similar performance tomorrow

That game was our last league win of that season I think, we only picked up 4 or so points after that and we never really recovered ever again - as it followed through to the next season and our ultimate demise.

[CSA96]

51 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

That game was our last league win of that season I think, we only picked up 4 or so points after that and we never really recovered ever again - as it followed through to the next season and our ultimate demise.

Yep, remember walking away from St. Mary's and we'd just moved up to 9th (iirc) and everything seemed great... never mind.

[CSA96]

Presser now on the club YT channel.

 

[leeham_69]

2 hours ago, CSA96 said:

Presser now on the club YT channel.

 

I do hope Rusty works out and we go up. It feels like a grown up is back in charge. He is likeable and sensible.

[SotonianWill]

8 hours ago, Chez said:

What about Charles or Doyle? 

I wouldn’t feel overtly confident with either of those two starting yet. I would probably ease them in, if stu starts he’s bound to only play around 60-70 mins so could easily bring in a Charles then. Although having said that based off last Friday, Armstrong off the bench if we did start with either of those two could also be beneficial so we’ll see. 

[Daft Kerplunk]

6 hours ago, CSA96 said:

Presser now on the club YT channel.

 

So, Russell, you’re saying there’s a chance that Prowsey still stays? 

[The Cat]

11 hours ago, Chez said:

Cheers.

When the club says 'injured and away getting specialised treatment', they mean he ain't turning up for training as he wants out, right?

There was a video of him playing that table tennis ball in a cup game that the club have been putting out. 

So he's been around, maybe going in for physio or light training.

[petermcpete]

Any idea if there will be streams for this later?

[Smirking_Saint]

Will be a weird one knowing that JWP isn’t in the squad and likely won’t be again, but I think the team we field will still be more than strong enough today

Id like to see the below 👇 

Charles over S Armstrong if he is deemed fit enough and push Smallbone forward as that will give us more balance, but Im not sure he is trusted enough yet

 

[AlexLaw76]

Martin's presser, bulleted.

 

Difficult for JwP, have been impressed within him over the last 6 weeks. Very professional. We chatted Weds, he is really emotional about leaving. He wished it ended on a different way. He is torn, but has personal ambition to be in the premier league, try and get back into the England squad and wants to break records in the premier league. His legacy will be about he people view him, and no one has a bad word about him. We will miss him

We have guys who need to step and and we need to find the next JwP. We hope someone is coming the other way as part of the deal. He will leave SFC with everyone's best wishes. 

There will be more changes in the next 3 weeks, we have been open and honest about that. We are ready to change and we are adaptable. This is football. Players have had a few days to digest Tuesday. The training has been brilliant since, very impressive. We have to build on that. We made it clear to the players what the problem was on Tuesday.

We play at home to a team who will expect to be up amongst it this season. Huge day for us, huge crowd and the team need to show what they did last Friday. 

There is clearly a balance to be had with the added time, but there have been games where it has been a bit much, could add up to 6-8 games a seasons. I am sure a balance will be found. 

The ball being in play more will help us for sure, the multi-ball system also helps.

Norwich will be different to last season. I watched them in pre season and last week, they are hungry, have new players and have an edge. They will be difficult to play against. It will be a very tough game and a challenge for us. The challenge is to be best and I really want to win.

There are a few options in the middle. S.Armstrong has been outstanding with his minutes, Aribo is still coming back. Charles has a game under his belt. We have talented players to come in Sat for JwP.

Lavia trained really well, I would not ask him to start given the minutes he has had and what is going on. He has been great with the noise around him, and it will be resolved soon, I am sure. Don't know if he will be in the squad.

Clear on the game plan for Sat, things to improve on from Friday.

Loan player expected to come in linked to JwP going

Jason Wilcox keeps me updated, and nothing close to further affect the squad for Sat. We are still doing 2x training sessions per day. We still need to move players on

I hope we do tell some players they are not going anywhere, and hope some players who are really enjoying themselves and are not in a rush to leave.

The club's model is good and we need to keep hold of the experience we already have (who have played in this league especially)

Jason Wilcox has been very strong with the valuations we demand for our players

JwP is the model professional, the way he conducts himself around the club has been immense, and Jack is now club captain and the squad are really happy. JwP agreed that he is the right choice. Jack is a real leader, he is brave and genuine.

AbK trained for a week, in a good place, but is ill, he still needs a week or 2 of training, maybe arrange a game for him. No new news on him, he has interest, but unsure how concrete. Sully has a muscle injury, away getting specialist treatment, he is happy. He has back next week. He is our player and we need to get him fit. 

When sending someone on loan, we have to get value with the respect of being ready for our first team. There will be new u21 coaches coming in, and training with the first team is important. Will deal with each situation as it comes, but no desire to get them out ASAP, unless a club comes along where they play a similar way, will play lots of minutes and we have a good connection with that club.

 

 

That is it. One thing I get with his pressers, he is pretty honest and does not fill the air with pointless waffle.

 

Edited 12 August, 2023 by AlexLaw76

[Mr Brightside]

9 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

Dont see how we can start with AA when he was completely ineffective last week, especially with Che getting the winner too. Charles for JWP would the only other change I would make

Get what you’re saying re the strikers, but I just think Martin prefers AA and fits his style. More mobile and links up the play better. Also looks like Che is off so not sure he’s 100% focussed. 

From what I’ve seen not sure Charles is ready, prefer the safer hands of Stu and also gives us a bit more driving forward from midfield. 

COYS. 

[whelk]

I like that we seem to have a very straightforward manager in RM and press conference seem interesting in that he is speaking honestly 

[The Juice]

21 hours ago, Ken Tone said:

I remember Strachan saying something like he was surprised referees didn't simply book Lundekvam for time-wasting every time he went up for a corner.😂

Classic. I seem to also remember him saying that you could hammer a piece of wood into the group and, statistically, the ball would rebound off it and into the goal more often than Claus' corner to goal ratio. 

[sandwichsaint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Martin's presser, bulleted.

 

Difficult for JwP, have been impressed within him over the last 6 weeks. Very professional. We chatted Weds, he is really emotional about leaving. He wished it ended on a different way. He is torn, but has personal ambition to be in the premier league, try and get back into the England squad and wants to break records in the premier league. His legacy will be about he people view him, and no one has a bad word about him. We will miss him

We have guys who need to step and and we need to find the next JwP. We hope someone is coming the other way as part of the deal. He will leave SFC with everyone's best wishes. 

There will be more changes in the next 3 weeks, we have been open and honest about that. We are ready to change and we are adaptable. This is football. Players have had a few days to digest Tuesday. The training has been brilliant since, very impressive. We have to build on that. We made it clear to the players what the problem was on Tuesday.

We play at home to a team who will expect to be up amongst it this season. Huge day for us, huge crowd and the team need to show what they did last Friday. 

There is clearly a balance to be had with the added time, but there have been games where it has been a bit much, could add up to 6-8 games a seasons. I am sure a balance will be found. 

The ball being in play more will help us for sure, the multi-ball system also helps.

Norwich will be different to last season. I watched them in pre season and last week, they are hungry, have new players and have an edge. They will be difficult to play against. It will be a very tough game and a challenge for us. The challenge is to be best and I really want to win.

There are a few options in the middle. S.Armstrong has been outstanding with his minutes, Aribo is still coming back. Charles has a game under his belt. We have talented players to come in Sat for JwP.

Lavia trained really well, I would not ask him to start given the minutes he has had and what is going on. He has been great with the noise around him, and it will be resolved soon, I am sure. Don't know if he will be in the squad.

Clear on the game plan for Sat, things to improve on from Friday.

Loan player expected to come in linked to JwP going

Jason Wilcox keeps me updated, and nothing close to further affect the squad for Sat. We are still doing 2x training sessions per day. We still need to move players on

I hope we do tell some players they are not going anywhere, and hope some players who are really enjoying themselves and are not in a rush to leave.

The club's model is good and we need to keep hold of the experience we already have (who have played in this league especially)

Jason Wilcox has been very strong with the valuations we demand for our players

JwP is the model professional, the way he conducts himself around the club has been immense, and Jack is now club captain and the squad are really happy. JwP agreed that he is the right choice. Jack is a real leader, he is brave and genuine.

AbK trained for a week, in a good place, but is ill, he still needs a week or 2 of training, maybe arrange a game for him. No new news on him, he has interest, but unsure how concrete. Sully has a muscle injury, away getting specialist treatment, he is happy. He has back next week. He is our player and we need to get him fit. 

When sending someone on loan, we have to get value with the respect of being ready for our first team. There will be new u21 coaches coming in, and training with the first team is important. Will deal with each situation as it comes, but no desire to get them out ASAP, unless a club comes along where they play a similar way, will play lots of minutes and we have a good connection with that club.

 

 

That is it. One thing I get with his pressers, he is pretty honest and does not fill the air with pointless waffle.

 

Reading between the lines..... Tella staying?

[Suhari]

So what are the options for streaming this then? Doesn't seem to be on the list for Saintsplayer.

[CB Fry]

8 minutes ago, Suhari said:

So what are the options for streaming this then? Doesn't seem to be on the list for Saintsplayer.

There's no broadcaster in the world showing English Championship matches at 3pm surely, so not a lot of chances for streaming.

Only if the streaming sites are getting access to the iFollow paid for streams and putting those up for free. Sounds possible but harder to find.

Edited 12 August, 2023 by CB Fry

[Galway saint]

1 hour ago, Mr Brightside said:

Get what you’re saying re the strikers, but I just think Martin prefers AA and fits his style. More mobile and links up the play better. Also looks like Che is off so not sure he’s 100% focussed. 

From what I’ve seen not sure Charles is ready, prefer the safer hands of Stu and also gives us a bit more driving forward from midfield. 

COYS. 

Suspect you will be right but AA has been an abysmal signing and yet he still plays and starts - absolutely abysmal 

[Farmer Saint]

Quite impressed with RM - seems honest and a good guy. He also has a proper identity as a Manager (whether it is the correct way to play we'll have to see). 

I like him.