Toussaint Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Just now, HarvSFC said: Downes has missed 9 league matches, 1-0 defeat against Ipswich, 1-1 draw with Watford, 1-1 with Coventry, 2-1 win against Plymouth, 3-1 loss against Bristol City, 2-0 win against West Brom and then 2-1 defeats against Hull, Millwall and Cardiff today. So, of the 9, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5 without him. Cheers for that, so a pretty pivotal player then as we’ve only lost 9 all season in total ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 5 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Cheers for that, so a pretty pivotal player then as we’ve only lost 9 all season in total ? Correct. Leicester have lost 10 but have only drawn 4 against our 9. Thereby hangs the difference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 22 minutes ago, HarvSFC said: Downes has missed 9 league matches, 1-0 defeat against Ipswich, 1-1 draw with Watford, 1-1 with Coventry, 2-1 win against Plymouth, 3-1 loss against Bristol City, 2-0 win against West Brom and then 2-1 defeats against Hull, Millwall and Cardiff today. So, of the 9, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5 without him. Blimey that is damning for rest of squad but also for our recruitment team. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 34 minutes ago, HarvSFC said: Downes has missed 9 league matches, 1-0 defeat against Ipswich, 1-1 draw with Watford, 1-1 with Coventry, 2-1 win against Plymouth, 3-1 loss against Bristol City, 2-0 win against West Brom and then 2-1 defeats against Hull, Millwall and Cardiff today. So, of the 9, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5 without him. I was under the delusion that we had a strong squad. Looking at this analysis, we're a one man team!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Been obvious for a while that we’d probably be mid-table without Downes. Our most important player by an absolute mile, it’s pivotal he’s fit for the playoffs. Let him go to Dubai before then or something. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patches O Houlihan Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 (edited) 1 hour ago, HarvSFC said: Downes has missed 9 league matches, 1-0 defeat against Ipswich, 1-1 draw with Watford, 1-1 with Coventry, 2-1 win against Plymouth, 3-1 loss against Bristol City, 2-0 win against West Brom and then 2-1 defeats against Hull, Millwall and Cardiff today. So, of the 9, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5 without him. We've lost 4 and drawn 7 with him playing. The WBA win we had Charles playing CDM. Flynn is magic in this league, but if we actually played another midfielder with a defensive mindset it would make a big difference. Despite the first half today Smallbone isn't that player, although Aribo being a big lad definitely improves our midfield with Smallbone as the anchor. Imagine if we had Jack Cork available, when Downes wasn't. (Obviously I would also take Romeu, JWP, Schnederlin, Wanyama too - but probably unrealistic in the Championship!) You could see the car crash coming today when he brought Aribo off, essentially surrendering the midfield Edited April 20 by Patches O Houlihan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Mulgrew Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 38 minutes ago, JRM said: Blimey that is damning for rest of squad but also for our recruitment team. 32 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said: I was under the delusion that we had a strong squad. Looking at this analysis, we're a one man team!! It’s not that we are a one-man team; the problem is that, in Downes’s absence, the manager prefers to play without a direct replacement for him (I.e. Charles) and selects Smallbone or Rothwell instead, neither of whom has a clue how to play as a 6, or even Stephens, who does but cannot. As a result, even a team that cannot otherwise score and had 12 absent injured waltzed through our midfield and penalty area and scored twice in a game in which we missed about a dozen decent chances. Most of us could see it but, for reasons unknown, Martin either cannot or chooses to turn a blind eye. Again and again and again. POH, above, has the right idea. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintstowin Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Really good points about FD's importance. We all know how vital he is. But we make his absences even harder to cope with through tactical decisions. I can almost agree that today it should have been ok with WS/JA. But when the changes were made after an hour it was totally wrong not to turn to Charles. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 The fact Downes was strolling around watching West Ham on Thursday night was probably a sign he wasn't training/ travelling to Wales. Any indication what is actually wrong with him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 Downes being out was a huge blow yesterday, made worse by the idiot, who put Smallbone in his position. He has shown time and time again that he can’t play there. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 5 hours ago, Wade Garrett said: Downes being out was a huge blow yesterday, made worse by the idiot, who put Smallbone in his position. He has shown time and time again that he can’t play there. He seemed to manage it reasonably well for 60 minutes yesterday. But the changes they made, and RM substitutions bollocksed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 Downes has been outstanding for us and vital as shown by the stats when he isn’t available. I’d be delighted if we sign him or keep him for another year ( but unlikely to happen). Only slight concern is that he seems a bit fragile at times. Not ‘Lavia’ proportions admittedly, but picking up knocks at a relatively young age is not ideal if you don’t manage to cope without him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 On 20/04/2024 at 19:36, HarvSFC said: Downes has missed 9 league matches, 1-0 defeat against Ipswich, 1-1 draw with Watford, 1-1 with Coventry, 2-1 win against Plymouth, 3-1 loss against Bristol City, 2-0 win against West Brom and then 2-1 defeats against Hull, Millwall and Cardiff today. So, of the 9, we've won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5 without him. he missed most of the game v Huddersfield (subbed after 24 minutes, injury), we were 0-0 when he went off, we then went 3-1 down, but did remarkably pull it back and won 5-3. That was the start of our slump after the unbeaten run, I know we won it but conceded 3 goals soon after he went off. Downes is pivotal, and we don't have anyone who can replace him like-for-like, we have players that can play DM but need a different system to be effective. Shea Charles is the closest we have, but he was terrible early season, lost confidence and lost Martin's confidence, hence has hardly played since. He does have the makings of a very good player though, as I have always said (when he was getting abuse on here early season). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 Downes and Adams are the most crucial players in this team. If we don't go up we need to do everything to tie them down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 (edited) 5 hours ago, SaintsFan86 said: Downes and Adams are the most crucial players in this team. If we don't go up we need to do everything to tie them down. Adams is an interesting one, he’s the cause and solution to our problems. He misses loads of good chances but we’re almost always worse without him Edited April 22 by Jack 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Corbyn Posted April 22 Share Posted April 22 12 hours ago, Jack said: Adams is an interesting one, he’s the cause and solution to our problems. He misses loads of good chances but we’re almost always worse without him Adams is a perfectly fine championship striker, bit streaky but easily good enough for a playoff chase. I do think we could easily enough get an equivilent player (maybe Stewart) - we're really just much better with a proper striker playing through the middle, which is what we get from Adams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted April 23 Share Posted April 23 Conclusive proof tonight that we're effectively a one man team... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 What’s up with him this time anyway? Great player but made of glass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 2 hours ago, LGTL said: What’s up with him this time anyway? Great player but made of glass. Another so called 'slight knock' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintStinger Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 He's been out for a third of our games this season. It's not good enough imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 3 minutes ago, SaintStinger said: He's been out for a third of our games this season. It's not good enough imo. It might make him slightly more gettable in the summer I guess, but either way we need 2x CDM's imo. Either him and 1 other, or 2 new. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Wolf Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 Has he been at the raw chicken again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted April 24 Share Posted April 24 25 minutes ago, S-Clarke said: It might make him slightly more gettable in the summer I guess, but either way we need 2x CDM's imo. Either him and 1 other, or 2 new. Not for us unless he loves playing for RM, but I’m pretty sure someone will pick him up ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Saints and West Ham apparently agree fee. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Just now, Master Bates said: Saints and West Ham apparently agree fee. Followed on by, Aslong as promotion is secured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 2 minutes ago, SaintsFan86 said: Followed on by, Aslong as promotion is secured? Who the fuck is Aslong? Unless you mean Aslan? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Surprising given West Ham looks though they are going to appoint Lopetegui, would have thought Downes would fancy his chances at his club once Moyes is out of the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 minute ago, VectisSaint said: Surprising given West Ham looks though they are going to appoint Lopetegui, would have thought Downes would fancy his chances at his club once Moyes is out of the way. Only said the clubs have agreed, not player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 7 minutes ago, VectisSaint said: Surprising given West Ham looks though they are going to appoint Lopetegui, would have thought Downes would fancy his chances at his club once Moyes is out of the way. Especially as it was apparent that they are missing Declan Rice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmes_and_Watson Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 A really pleasant surprise, and hopefully Downes will be agreeable. He'd be good in any team, but critical for ours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Just now, Holmes_and_Watson said: A really pleasant surprise, and hopefully Downes will be agreeable. He'd be good in any team, but critical for ours. Potentially tying him down early if he agrees regardless of which league we are in is a MASSIVE boost heading into the summer. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 (edited) Where was this seen, out of interest ? If it's Crooks or Nixon then pinch of salt perhaps required. Edited May 6 by Badger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 I think he’d be nuts to agree a move now. He could get himself a prem move in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 21 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said: I think he’d be nuts to agree a move now. He could get himself a prem move in the summer. Agree. Wondered if he'd end up at Ipswich if we don't go up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsFan86 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 17 minutes ago, Badger said: Agree. Wondered if he'd end up at Ipswich if we don't go up. Think they are trying to sign Ben Sheaf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 56 minutes ago, Badger said: Where was this seen, out of interest ? If it's Crooks or Nixon then pinch of salt perhaps required. Neither. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Kent Saint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 48 minutes ago, SaintsFan86 said: Think they are trying to sign Ben Sheaf. The old farming puns for the tractor boys 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintNewForest Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, Master Bates said: Neither. Maybe you could say where you've read it, to give it either an ounce of credibility or file under bin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 5 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said: Maybe you could say where you've read it, to give it either an ounce of credibility or file under bin? It was on the BBC website this morning - the transfer rumours bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 2 hours ago, Master Bates said: Saints and West Ham apparently agree fee. Would be a huge signing for next season in either league. Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 3 hours ago, Master Bates said: Only said the clubs have agreed, not player. Only way this has a chance if we are promoted, we won't be going anywhere near him if we stay down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 I heard a while ago that he wants to stay. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkoksaint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 If FD starts for us next season then you’ll see me in goal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, S-Clarke said: Only way this has a chance if we are promoted, we won't be going anywhere near him if we stay down. Course we will, whether he goes anywhere near us is another matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmes_and_Watson Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 10 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said: If FD starts for us next season then you’ll see me in goal Welcome to the Saints, Mr Goalie! 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said: It was on the BBC website this morning - the transfer rumours bit. I've found these guys can be pretty good. Contrary to Bangkoksaint, I think if we get promoted, FD will join us and even if we don't get promoted our people should be working overtime to persuade him to stay. Our best loan signing by a country mile. He seems a bit fragile, and like one Saintsweb person said, he's no Kante, but he does a great job for us in midfield. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry_SFC Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Moyes gone but can see West Ham wanting to move Downes on regardless. Their fans are expecting big signings in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midfield_General Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Very surprised that the COT have been beaten to the punch on this one. Come on lads, up your game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 minute ago, Midfield_General said: Very surprised that the COT have been beaten to the punch on this one. Come on lads, up your game. All credibility gone, right there. Sad days! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said: Moyes gone but can see West Ham wanting to move Downes on regardless. Their fans are expecting big signings in the summer. As they always do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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