Will Still

[SambaMaverick]

Needs to wise up pretty fucking quick 

2/10 so far for ginge

[Scoobysaint]

I think five games is a bit soon to judge. Many on here were slating him for playing five at the back and are now slating him for playing a four.
For me the problem is the distribution from the CB pairing. Too often the ball is passed to the full back which then limits the options, either back inside or down the line. I’m hoping Jansen, replacing Downes, can become that player to show for the ball and provide an option. 
I know Still wants width and wingers but it doesn’t work going straight from full back to winger. If you’re just gonna keep the ball wide, it works better with a Bridge / Marsden set up where the MF tucks in and the FB bombs on. 
All pointless though if you are whacking crosses into Archer, Armstrong or Fraser. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Scoobysaint
Spelling

[Lighthouse]

1 minute ago, Scoobysaint said:

Most on here were slating him for playing five at the back and are now slating him for playing a four.

Nobody is slating him for playing a back four.

[ant]

My frustration from today is (very gradually) subsiding, and with a less emotional hat on, I don't believe you can take a derby as wholly representative of the intended playing style.

That said, he did have a solid couple of weeks to ruminate on today. 

If we're still wanting after the next 2 or 3, there'll be big questions about whether he can get us anywhere close to promotion.

I wouldn't want to be the one making that call, but somebody will need the stones to.

Edited 6 hours ago by ant

[whelk]

31 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Get fucked you ginger whopper. 

You need to get that banner made

[Guan 2.0]

 

The Next 4 league games are Hull, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, and Derby.

By then, I will be judging Still on formation, system of play and league position.

Players should be fully bedded in at this point. So he will either rise or fall on those results. I think (and hope) he will succeed. But we should have a much greater indication at this point.  

I won't be holding the Liverpool game against him, unless we lose to their under-12 side. 

P.S. What has happened to Flynn Downes?

[Baird of the land]

His post match comments are laughable.

no wonder the team came out do unprepared for a derby.

[Gloucester Saint]

14 minutes ago, ant said:

I wouldn't want to be the one making that call, but somebody will need the stones to.

Er, yeah, SR are a bit of a problem in that regard….

Anticipation today and great initial atmosphere….but was a very difficult game to get worked up about after about 20 minutes. Better second half but never really on the edge of my seat believing we would score. Drab and grey display from drab and grey Saints players to match the weather. 

The Butchers Hook is excellent though. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[AlexLaw76]

We’ll. red to go on a long unbeaten / winning streak soon, just to make up the gap already 

can’t see with this awful style of football 

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, Guan 2.0 said:

 

The Next 4 league games are Hull, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, and Derby.

By then, I will be judging Still on formation, system of play and league position.

Players should be fully bedded in at this point. So he will either rise or fall on those results. I think (and hope) he will succeed. But we should have a much greater indication at this point.  

I won't be holding the Liverpool game against him, unless we lose to their under-12 side. 

P.S. What has happened to Flynn Downes?

Agree on that and 7 to 8 points minimum or I think his situation becomes quite difficult. 

[bangkoksaint]

10 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Agree on that and 7 to 8 points minimum or I think his situation becomes quite difficult. 

Yeah I looked and thought 8 points. If we’re mid table after 10 games, so nearly a quarter of the season, then I honestly believe it’ll be looking like the season after. Then it’s a case of whether that will be with WS. 

[ant]

16 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

The Butchers Hook is excellent though. 

Off topic, but damn - did you visit?

I don't own it, but run it. Treat it as my baby!

Lemme know if you swing by again.

[egg]

36 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Nobody is slating him for playing a back four.

Although I'm not slating him for it, we looked terrible in the first half after switching to it. In particular, our full backs didn't get high enough up the pitch. 

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, ant said:

Off topic, but damn - did you visit?

I don't own it, but run it. Treat it as my baby!

Lemme know if you swing by again.

I did, but a few years back now. High on my list to return to on my next visit along with King Olaf’s which not been to yet and Beards & Boards. Will say hello.

[stknowle]

38 minutes ago, Guan 2.0 said:

 

The Next 4 league games are Hull, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, and Derby.

By then, I will be judging Still on formation, system of play and league position.

Players should be fully bedded in at this point. So he will either rise or fall on those results. I think (and hope) he will succeed. But we should have a much greater indication at this point.  

I won't be holding the Liverpool game against him, unless we lose to their under-12 side. 

P.S. What has happened to Flynn Downes?

This exactly. Too early to judge but after those 4 it won’t be. There has been virtually nothing so far to suggest he’s any sort of tactician and you have to be honest on the evidence so far he’s looking like yet another dropped bollock. Please god it doesn’t turn out that way.

[Colinjb]

Whatever he did at half time helped. 

Should have started like that, the two approaches of the managers, Mousinho downplaying the occasion, Still letting Franny and Le Tiss in to emphasise the importance of the game showed in how the teams started, the Skates were professional, we looked overawed. 

I appreciate his openness and emotion at the end, he was disappointed, clearly.

Said I would judge after ten games, I stand by that. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, stknowle said:

This exactly. Too early to judge but after those 4 it won’t be. There has been virtually nothing so far to suggest he’s any sort of tactician and you have to be honest on the evidence so far he’s looking like yet another dropped bollock. Please god it doesn’t turn out that way.

Looking at what’s coming up, Hull away is win comfortably and no excuses https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/southampton/scores-fixtures/2025-09?filter=fixtures

Fail to win that and the headlines start saying ‘Under pressure Will Still’. Six pointer. 
Boro home needs to be a win, Blades away post-Selles, a draw would be ok. 7 points minimum next three, 

[Roo1976]

20 minutes ago, ant said:

Off topic, but damn - did you visit?

I don't own it, but run it. Treat it as my baby!

Lemme know if you swing by again.

Wow again off topic,me and my mate are into drinking stout ales,Guinness,Murphy's,Dorothy Black,and a brew dog one Black Heart, just been on your Facebook page and there looked some fabulous creamy stouts there,any good?😛

[hypochondriac]

I'm still struggling to articulate what his style of play is. Whatever his limitations that's not something that you could say about Martin. Have we made things too complicated ?

[Lighthouse]

22 minutes ago, egg said:

Although I'm not slating him for it, we looked terrible in the first half after switching to it. In particular, our full backs didn't get high enough up the pitch. 

We looked terrible because we were playing like a League 2 team hanging on for a 1-1 draw at Anfield, in injury time of a cup tie. Regardless of the number of defenders, we were just booting it hopefully into their half with no cohension.

[Hopper]

We were poor today, first half especially.

I think it's too early to look at a style of play from him, he's had an unsettled squad and only just got players the profiles he was after in the door. I'd give him a bit more time but he's got to start getting a tune out of them fairly quickly.

Edited 5 hours ago by Hopper

[ant]

6 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

Wow again off topic,me and my mate are into drinking stout ales,Guinness,Murphy's,Dorothy Black,and a brew dog one Black Heart, just been on your Facebook page and there looked some fabulous creamy stouts there,any good?😛

Always at least one or two sterling examples. Far too under-represented a style - and my 'first love' in beer.

[benjii]

 As we speak im drinking an oatmeal stout called Abyss from some northern brewery.

 

It's nice.

[benjii]

22 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I'm still struggling to articulate what his style of play is. Whatever his limitations that's not something that you could say about Martin. Have we made things too complicated ?

Too simple, if anything.

[benjii]

20 minutes ago, Hopper said:

We were poor today, first half especially.

I think it's too early to look at a style of play from him, he's had an unsettled squad and only just got players the profiles he was after in the door. I'd give him a bit more time but he's got to start getting a tune out of them fairly quickly.

Pochetinno made a huge impact in 3 days. I'm not saying he needs to be Poch, but he's had a whole pre-season and has managed one flukey win from 5 Champ games and barely any goals from open play.

It's not the players with a hangover from Russball, it's the fans accepting this shit from SFC in division 2

Edited 4 hours ago by benjii

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, benjii said:

 As we speak im drinking an oatmeal stout called Abyss from some northern brewery.

 

It's nice.

Had these at the Moreton Festival yesterday https://untappd.com/b/north-riding-brewery-bakewell-tart-stout/4328688
https://untappd.com/b/rooster-s-brewing-co-london-thunder/2961331
BTS was especially lovely. 

Excellent local stronger bitter https://untappd.com/b/cotswold-lion-brewery-top-tup/6094715

Edited 4 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

19 minutes ago, ant said:

Always at least one or two sterling examples. Far too under-represented a style - and my 'first love' in beer.

I love Milds as well. Such a connection to our industrial heritage and they can be all kinds of different strengths. 

[Hopper]

8 minutes ago, benjii said:

Pochetinno made a huge impact in 3 days. I'm not saying he needs to be Poch, but he's had a whole pre-season and has managed one flukey win from 5 Champ games and barely any goals from open play.

It's not the players with a hangover from Russball, it's the fans accepting this shit from SFC in division 2

Don’t disagree with this either tbh. Poch did make a huge difference but the manager bounce doesn’t happen for everyone. Like I say he’s gonna be up against it very soon so let’s see how we go.

[Maggie May]

Still was my number one choice and I’m still backing him. But his quote from today about older players reverting to previous systems is the same excuse as Russell Martin’s “scar tissue” claim, which he’s vilified for up in Glasgow and was treated with the same disdain by this fan base. He needs to move away from that excuse sharpish.

I still have lots of faith in him and this team. I think we’ll be really cooking soon. On paper, it’s been a pretty tough run in. Wrexham at home wasn’t a guaranteed banker, we played very well against Ipswich and Watford, and lost to a rejuvenated Stoke (which is the only real blip). Portsmouth are a good side and could be dark horses this season.  Hopefully a lot of other fans share this optimism because we really need to back him. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Maggie May

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, SambaMaverick said:

Needs to wise up pretty fucking quick 

2/10 so far for ginge

I think he's got a problem as has no idea how to set us up as a balanced side, just throw on loads of forwards towards the end of a game but tactically we fall short, lack of balance throughout the pitch and for me we've been very easy to defend against all season, I know it's a persona but the way he shrugs his shoulders in press conferences he looks like he doesn't really know what he's doing and is out of his depth 

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, Scoobysaint said:

I think five games is a bit soon to judge. Many on here were slating him for playing five at the back and are now slating him for playing a four.
For me the problem is the distribution from the CB pairing. Too often the ball is passed to the full back which then limits the options, either back inside or down the line. I’m hoping Jansen, replacing Downes, can become that player to show for the ball and provide an option. 
I know Still wants width and wingers but it doesn’t work going straight from full back to winger. If you’re just gonna keep the ball wide, it works better with a Bridge / Marsden set up where the MF tucks in and the FB bombs on. 
All pointless though if you are whacking crosses into Archer, Armstrong or Fraser. 

This ^^^ absolutely!!! None of the back four are capable of feeding the midfield and Downes is the perennial re-cycle king…has nothing in his game that enables him to turn and play forward. Charles is only just better, but there’s not much in it so the two of them = an ineffective midfield.  Azaz, Fraser, Archer and Fellowes are often so far apart they’re playing solo.

[Dr. Kucho]

29 minutes ago, benjii said:

Pochetinno made a huge impact in 3 days. I'm not saying he needs to be Poch, but he's had a whole pre-season and has managed one flukey win from 5 Champ games and barely any goals from open play.

It's not the players with a hangover from Russball, it's the fans accepting this shit from SFC in division 2

Pochetinno indeed made a huge impact when he arrived. But he inherited a squad that had 2 back to back promotions and wasn’t doing to bad in the league. Still has inherited the second worst squad in premier league history. 

That said he now has the players he wants and the results have to start coming in the next weeks. 

[bangkoksaint]

Whenever he’s interviewed he’s always touching his face or hair. Classic signs of being nervous. Maybe he doesn’t like the presser side of things, unfortunately however that’s part of the job and he needs to deal with it. Hopefully he’s not like that when he’s coaching or with the team because if he is with our current form/results it’ll just manifest itself.

[benjii]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Kucho said:

Pochetinno indeed made a huge impact when he arrived. But he inherited a squad that had 2 back to back promotions and wasn’t doing to bad in the league. Still has inherited the second worst squad in premier league history. 

That said he now has the players he wants and the results have to start coming in the next weeks. 

That would be relevant if we were in the Premier League.

[aintforever]

Fucking clueless, typical of the monkeys running our club to try to be too clever. Still has done nothing, the blokes a fraud.

sack him and bring in someone who actually has achieved something and knows the league.

[Convict Colony]

Guys we did this last championship window when we were relegated.

we were shit and got better once the squad was settled.

Any demands for change of manager after 5 games is kneejerk in the extreme.

Still very unhappy with first half, 2nd half much better.

Needs to find way to give forwards better chances.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Worrying signs that he’s not up to it. That was the most passive I’ve seen a Derby side since the fiasco of Redknaps return to Fratton. It’s all very well saying he gets and understands how important it is, but words are cheap, let’s fucking see it with actions. 
 

From the outset it was obvious something was wrong, he says we wasted 45 mins, why 45? Why not fucking give out some clog during the game, he just stood there, he wasn’t dishing out bollockings or sorting things out. Tellingly, when the trainer was on the first time, the Skate players went to their boss, whereas ours didn’t. Why wasn’t he animated on the line, why wasn’t he sorting it out prior to half time. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Worrying signs that he’s not up to it. That was the most passive I’ve seen a Derby side since the fiasco of Redknaps return to Fratton. It’s all very well saying he gets and understands how important it is, but words are cheap, let’s fucking see it with actions. 
 

From the outset it was obvious something was wrong, he says we wasted 45 mins, why 45? Why not fucking give out some clog during the game, he just stood there, he wasn’t dishing out bollockings or sorting things out. Tellingly, when the trainer was on the first time, the Skate players went to their boss, whereas ours didn’t. Why wasn’t he animated on the line, why wasn’t he sorting it out prior to half time. 

I’m not pressing the panic button yet but the Hull match is simply must win with the flux they’re in and Boro home as well. That would give him some breathing space after today’s borefest. Scienza needs to start, squad needs some personality desperately to lift a very boring and risk-averse squad. Get Fellows going at his full back the other side and start with Jander, Downes was appalling, with any luck todays yellow gets him suspension anyway.

[CB Fry]

24 minutes ago, Dr. Kucho said:

Still has inherited the second worst squad in premier league history.

I think what you meant to say he inherited one of the best squads in the league and then spent more than every other club (bar one) on new signings.

[Wade Garrett]

9 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I’m not pressing the panic button yet but the Hull match is simply must win with the flux they’re in and Boro home as well. That would give him some breathing space after today’s borefest. Scienza needs to start, squad needs some personality desperately to lift a very boring and risk-averse squad. Get Fellows going at his full back the other side and start with Jander, Downes was appalling, with any luck todays yellow gets him suspension anyway.

I agree with what you say about Downes.  Has he ever turned forward with the ball at his feet?  Just slows things down all the time.

[Football Special]

What was this about? Didn't notice during the game 

 

[saintant]

His honeymoon period is fast running out especially after such an insipid performance today in our biggest home game of the season. He has to quickly make up his mind who his best players are and fit them into a system whereby they are able to produce cohesive football. Have to confess I thought he'd introduce all sorts of changes and clever formations but it's been tedious so far.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

What was this about? Didn't notice during the game 

 

Obviously a strong handshake to rile Will Still - really childish thing to do.

[hypochondriac]

26 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Guys we did this last championship window when we were relegated.

we were shit and got better once the squad was settled.

Any demands for change of manager after 5 games is kneejerk in the extreme.

Still very unhappy with first half, 2nd half much better.

Needs to find way to give forwards better chances.

We had 16 points after ten games. It's going to be a big ask to get close to that in the next five. Three wins and a draw to equal it...

[The Kraken]

29 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Guys we did this last championship window when we were relegated.

we were shit and got better once the squad was settled.

Any demands for change of manager after 5 games is kneejerk in the extreme.

Still very unhappy with first half, 2nd half much better.

Needs to find way to give forwards better chances.

We won 3 of our first 4 games last time out. It was September when things went tits up. Up to that point, for better or worse, you could see the massive change in playing style and how the layers were working on adopting Russell Martin’s methods. The last ten minutes of keep ball against Sheff Wed was unlike anything I’d seen in any saints side before. With this lot, I’m still failing to see what Will Still brings to the party. The first half today was absurd, just looked rudderless. 

We keep saying game after game that he needs to be given time. And to an extent any manager does. But there needs to be some seeds of improvement, evidence of what he’s changing or bringing together. Not seeing any of that yet.

[Osvaldorama]

12 minutes ago, Football Special said:

What was this about? Didn't notice during the game 

 

I was sat near the dug out. Their manager was a total cock all game. Moaning about everything. Just all round wanker of a bloke 

[Saintsfanuk]

For me he's only had 1 game with the final squad and it was a unique game compared to the rest. So not a major panic yet, even though the first 4 weren't great the away points were okish. Got to win the home games!

He's got to get the attack sorted now, hopefully we'll see an improvement in the next couple of games, he's got the wingers in so no excuses now. 

Just really could do with winning the next 3 and setting off some momentum. 

[Gloucester Saint]

30 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

I agree with what you say about Downes.  Has he ever turned forward with the ball at his feet?  Just slows things down all the time.

I think Farmer Saint was right in the sense he’s a pure Martin system player and can only function as the holding player going sideways or backwards. In other words a pound shop Jim Magilton. 

[sockeye]

5 games in, it’s too early to make a final call. I could understand getting rid if it were 0 points and diabolical scorelines, but it’s been 6 points. Below expectations, but we have shown flashes of ability and we need it to start coming off soon. It’s time for Still to instil a solid attacking philosophy. Drop Downes and anyone else who perpetuates the slow buildup.

[The Kraken]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I think Farmer Saint was right in the sense he’s a pure Martin system player and can only function as the holding player going sideways or backwards. In other words a pound shop Jim Magilton. 

Yeah I don’t buy that entirely. No doubt he was key to a Martin system. But he was excellent for us in the championship, our performances without him were notably worse (visibly and points gained). He was very influential for us, and my memory isn’t that he was just a crab midfielder, he was more than that. Has definitely been way off that since promotion.