trousers Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 5 minutes ago, saintscottofthenortham said: Can't see a way back for Stephens at this rate. During our 4 match blip, Martin made it clear we missed Stephen's leadership and that he'd effectively walk straight back in the team when he's fit. Maybe a back 3/5 could work...? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Stoke were atrocious weren't they, my word. Apparantly that's one of their better home performances 😂 No wonder why it was empty. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Exactly the sort of match I thought this Saints side would be beaten in; rubbish Tuesday night match, low quality dirty opposition ... but Saints were pretty good, worked hard as a team, really hard actually! Hopefully that will build them some decent team spirit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 I have to say that was the ugliest football win I've watched for a while but of course am happy. Best players: - Downs - HWB -Honourable mention - Bazunu - slow start but passing and saves were great 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsaint1 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Positives- Smallbone and Downes were excellent. THB and Bednarek very solid as well. Stu's goal was superb and Sulemana will be a big threat for us if he can get better with the final ball and adding goals. Aribo helped kill the last 3 minutes of the game single handedly lol Negatives - Alcaraz looks lost and then hes getting involved in the handbags at the end. Hes went backwards since last season. Not sure what Mara offers off the bench, particularly ahead of Che A bit more composure and we would've killed the game. Very ugly last 20 minutes or so but we dug in and got the win so cant fault the effort 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian lord Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Bazunu with a big performance in my book. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 What an absolutely ugly game of football that was, not much to write about other than the win. I think we were dragged into the Stoke game a bit too much, they had absolutely nothing - a truly horrific side. We should have made it more comfortable than it was. Not entirely sure why Stu got MOTM - bit of a lazy choice just because he got the goal. In play he was inept tonight. Alcaraz was great slightly in front of him I think. Best player for me was THB - he quietly goes about it, but he just defends with no nonsense. Always in the right position, the ball is like a magnet to him. He's going to be huge for us. Subs made us weaker, Mara was really, really, really bad - didn't give us anything as a sub. Can't trust him now, go with Adams if we make that change going forward. Hopefully we get some takers in Jan. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, adrian lord said: Bazunu with a big performance in my book. Really? Their first shot on target was in the 96th min 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 (edited) Martin: "Two really good wins, this was a better performance overall than vs Leeds" (paraphrased) Edited 3 October, 2023 by trousers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galway saint Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 thought THB and Bednarek looked very good. been a while since you had confidence we wouldn’t concede. not sure the subs helped much eight points off the top two so need to keep winning 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefizzy14 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Get in! A great result for us. Nice to grind out a win with a clean sheet and what a free kick from Stuart Armstrong, pure class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 I only managed to catch the last half hour but, flipping eck, that was a hard watch. If that’s what we’re deeming the benefits of possession football then it’s not a great advert. Stoke looked like a poor championship team, we looked just a little bit above that. Clean sheet, what’s that?! Downes challenge looked just a bit of a coming together but Bednarek ffs what’s he thinking, both arms wrapped round the striker is a terrible look, very lucky to get away with that. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 6 minutes ago, freshen up said: I liked Fraser when he came on, experience showed with winning a few 'fouls' to slow it down. Did ok. When he came on the threat of Sulemana's pace was gone. They pushed up and turned the screw a bit. There was one great break opportunity, but Fraser is too slow to take advantage. I guess Sulemana had plenty of opportunities himself. Good to have options, but I don't want to see Fraser picked ahead of Sulemana again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Matty 76 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, adrian lord said: Bazunu with a big performance in my book. Passing was exceptional today. No real difficult saves to make but did better in parrying the ball into safer areas which has been a worry this season. I really hope two decent performances in a row & a clean sheet can push him on now. THB and Downes my joint MOTM probably. KWP very good as well. Still mystified why he's giving Fraser minutes over Edozie, but oh well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian lord Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said: Really? Their first shot on target was in the 96th min Yeah, I thought he was much more confidence inspiring overall, and distribution was excellent. Sure he didn’t have much to save, but when called on it was an excellent one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, spyinthesky said: I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. I thought Flynn was good tonight, tired a bit as the game went on, but he's a tidy CM. Think he would be better with a bigger stature next to him, as Smallbone gets eaten alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, spyinthesky said: I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. Eh? Downes was motm for me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, spyinthesky said: I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. Downes was good!!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, spyinthesky said: I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. Last 2 games he's been among the best players for us 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obelisk Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Missed the game. Sounds like hard fought win but got to be happy with a clean sheet at last. must start to take those chances to kill off the opposition in games like this. Good week so far. Three points on Saturday will round things off just nicely so expect a scrappy 0-1 defeat. 😇 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Lion Tamer Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 2 minutes ago, The Kraken said: I only managed to catch the last half hour but, flipping eck, that was a hard watch. If that’s what we’re deeming the benefits of possession football then it’s not a great advert. Stoke looked like a poor championship team, we looked just a little bit above that. Clean sheet, what’s that?! Downes challenge looked just a bit of a coming together but Bednarek ffs what’s he thinking, both arms wrapped round the striker is a terrible look, very lucky to get away with that. I know it wasn't pretty but Stoke have barely managed to create a chance against us, we're clearly a class apart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 2 minutes ago, The Kraken said: I only managed to catch the last half hour but, flipping eck, that was a hard watch. If that’s what we’re deeming the benefits of possession football then it’s not a great advert. Stoke looked like a poor championship team, we looked just a little bit above that. Clean sheet, what’s that?! Downes challenge looked just a bit of a coming together but Bednarek ffs what’s he thinking, both arms wrapped round the striker is a terrible look, very lucky to get away with that. totally controlled the game in the first hour. Passed through them at will, just didn't do enough when breaking. Should have done more. Got ugly when they brought the big lad on and we made lots of subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry_SFC Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, Ex Lion Tamer said: I know it wasn't pretty but Stoke have barely managed to create a chance against us, we're clearly a class apart Can't say I ever thought Stoke were going to score to be honest. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 3 minutes ago, spyinthesky said: I just hope that a fit Ross Stewart brings us the type of central strike we have been crying out for. There seems to be a problem with Che Adams and Mara is nowhere near good enough. Could possibly do with another midfield player. Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. I just hope he is still recovering from his bout of food poisoning and will improve when fully functioning. Mara got 15 minutes. He's not played. Maybe give him a little more of an opportunity? Downes did OK. Dissappeared a bit in the last half hour. Aribo did pretty well when he came on. I think that's been said a couple of times now this season. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, Ex Lion Tamer said: I know it wasn't pretty but Stoke have barely managed to create a chance against us, we're clearly a class apart As I said, just commenting on the last half hour or so as that’s all I saw, it wasn’t a great watch! Sounds like the first bits were much better. In what I watched I was constantly struck by how much we gave the ball away for a so called possession based side, very sloppy stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSA96 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 (edited) Russell Martin to Sky on fixing the recent issues: "I've been kicking myself, but maybe we came here and tried to run before we could walk." Nail on head. Fair play. Edited 3 October, 2023 by CSA96 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, Chez said: totally controlled the game in the first hour. Passed through them at will, just didn't do enough when breaking. Should have done more. Got ugly when they brought the big lad on and we made lots of subs. Pretty much how I saw it, had a good spell in the first half but didn't strangle them as much as we should have. Then they just became the thugs they are and just bombarded us with the ball and big blokes flying all over the place. They didn't let us play football in the end to be fair, they just kept the ball in the air as that is the Stoke DNA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefizzy14 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 THB was outstanding at the back tonight. Ridiculously good. Bednarek was solid alongside him. Downes very good too, alongside Smallbone who was composed. Both KWP and Manning stood upto the task very well. Bazanu very good also, so pleased for him getting a clean sheet. The front four all worked very hard. COYR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 2 minutes ago, Ex Lion Tamer said: I know it wasn't pretty but Stoke have barely managed to create a chance against us, we're clearly a class apart It was a good defensive display, but they also have a horrific injury problem at the mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, Harry_SFC said: Can't say I ever thought Stoke were going to score to be honest. I suspect pretty much everyone will beat them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, Chez said: Mara got 15 minutes. He's not played. Maybe give him a little more of an opportunity? No thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixedkebab Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 We did get lucky with the Bednarek penalty but other than that the only thing I’d complain about was some of the finishing. the all round game and team spirit was bang on, I’d be happy to see us grinding out 1-0 wins the rest of the season, isn’t that what we’ve been crying out for? As others have said let’s hope Stewart comes good, with a proper finisher we should be a top side in this league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsaint1 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 8 minutes ago, S-Clarke said: What an absolutely ugly game of football that was, not much to write about other than the win. I think we were dragged into the Stoke game a bit too much, they had absolutely nothing - a truly horrific side. We should have made it more comfortable than it was. Not entirely sure why Stu got MOTM - bit of a lazy choice just because he got the goal. In play he was inept tonight. Alcaraz was great slightly in front of him I think. Best player for me was THB - he quietly goes about it, but he just defends with no nonsense. Always in the right position, the ball is like a magnet to him. He's going to be huge for us. Subs made us weaker, Mara was really, really, really bad - didn't give us anything as a sub. Can't trust him now, go with Adams if we make that change going forward. Hopefully we get some takers in Jan. Thought he was crap. Looks disinterested (possibly with what was said about Willy and Lyanco leaving) and gave the ball away countless times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlaine1979 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Happy to get the win, but that's about it. The way we slow down and turn back whenever we get a break or a turnover is incredibly frustrating. Was a great fk, but nine times out of ten the ref turns a blind eye to that and we go home disappointed. All our best moments came from players in motion, playing the ball quickly for other players to run on to. As soon as we slow things down and try to "build" we haven't got a clue. Downes had a good game and Sulemana will have the beating of most fullbacks in the league. The raw materials are there for us to be among the best in the league, but on that performance I'd say we're about where we belong in the table at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, The Kraken said: As I said, just commenting on the last half hour or so as that’s all I saw, it wasn’t a great watch! Sounds like the first bits were much better. In what I watched I was constantly struck by how much we gave the ball away for a so called possession based side, very sloppy stuff. The stats might prove me wrong but I felt we gave the ball away much more in the first half than the second... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, CSA96 said: Russell Martin to Sky on fixing the recent issues: "I've been kicking myself, but maybe we came here and tried to run before we could walk." Nail on head. Fair play. Like the sound of that. We also got beaten, playing like idiots, by some better sides. Ipswich, Leicester and Sunderland are gonna be there or there abouts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusic Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 7 minutes ago, The Kraken said: I only managed to catch the last half hour but, flipping eck, that was a hard watch. If that’s what we’re deeming the benefits of possession football then it’s not a great advert. Stoke looked like a poor championship team, we looked just a little bit above that. Clean sheet, what’s that?! Downes challenge looked just a bit of a coming together but Bednarek ffs what’s he thinking, both arms wrapped round the striker is a terrible look, very lucky to get away with that. To be fair at times in the first half, and certainly first 15mins 2nd half, we played some very nice football and really with some better finishes/ bit of luck would have had a comfortable lead. Considering we didnt do that then did well to limit them to some crosses and a long shot. Good win. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SotonianWill Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 (edited) 10 minutes ago, spyinthesky said: Aribo offers nothing and I am a little bit disappointed with what Flynn Downes has done after his first decent performance. Thought both did well today. Never seen Aribo put in a shift (or even run) before. Until today. Edited 3 October, 2023 by SotonianWill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SotonianWill Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Harewood Bellis has got to be MOTM. Really impressed in a game with little quality 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sfcphilc Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 I think it's takes 5 years off my lifespan everytime I watch Saints, but I'll never complain about a win, especially one away at Stoke in midweek. We should've had at least two more through Stueys header and Sulemana/Mara chances. Stoke threw alot at us and we stood firm, that's not something to turn your nose up at. Onto Rotherham at the weekend, let's make it 3 from 3 and get a feel good factor back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusic Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Downes and Smallbone were very good I thought. Smallbone probably someone teammates particularly valuable, always available for the ball and his weight of pass is usually great. Can barely remember a single misplaced pass from him, despite the chaos of the game. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stknowle Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 14 minutes ago, LGTL said: Stoke were atrocious weren't they, my word. Apparantly that's one of their better home performances 😂 No wonder why it was empty. Yeah they were really shite. Streaky win really considering that but we missed a couple of sitters so could/should've been easier plus confidence will build you would hope. Also CB's are starting to look like a solid pairing, fuck me they should do one is an experienced international and the other won this league last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 1 minute ago, Lee On Solent Saint said: No thanks He wasn't good tonight, but we might need him at some point. Good idea to get behind players like him. Try to build their confidence up. They can make all the difference come the end of the season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca155 Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said: Really? Their first shot on target was in the 96th min He was excellent, it's not just about saves, his distribution was superb. Put Stoke under pressure for the first 65 mins. After that it was a full on assault, and the whole team defended with gusto. He isn't perfect I totally accept that, but not our major problem. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Back 5 picks itself now (Manning in light of a lack of other options). THB and Bednarek looking like a decent partnership. That nobody picked THB up in the summer in the Prem astounds me. If we don’t go up I fail to see him here for another season. Class above. KWP too. Difficult to give a MOTM. Sulemana was decent again, Downes too, KWP close but THB edges it for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Shot Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Everyone happy with a gritty win but no way do we look anything like automatic promotion hopefuls. Miles inferior to the side Adkins took up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 2 minutes ago, Dusic said: Downes and Smallbone were very good I thought. Smallbone probably someone teammates particularly valuable, always available for the ball and his weight of pass is usually great. Can barely remember a single misplaced pass from him, despite the chaos of the game. I'd agree with that. Really good crisp passing in the last few games. I'm not a big fan, because he's a pussy in the tackle, but fair play, he has the touch and pass to play at this level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 Just now, Long Shot said: Everyone happy with a gritty win but no way do we look anything like automatic promotion hopefuls. Miles inferior to the side Adkins took up. We had some horribly gritty wins under Adkins. Leeds away comes to mind, we were absolutely destroyed by them all night, we were shockingly bad. Only Davis got us over in that one. Teams who go up automatic don't look like world beaters every week, it's just not possible. You need a mixture of wins and we'll have more of these I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 3 October, 2023 Share Posted 3 October, 2023 11 minutes ago, Ex Lion Tamer said: I know it wasn't pretty but Stoke have barely managed to create a chance against us, we're clearly a class apart God we weren’t exactly ‘a class apart’ Stoke played reasonably well and got into dangerous positions a number of times. There really wasn’t much in it…. We were also full strength and they had injuries. Great goal from Stuart Armstrong but that apart fairy even… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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