Will Still

[BarberSaint]

2 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

Excuse me. I'm somewhat ecstatic to tell you that 'defense' is Americanised English.

I'll have you know that it is preferable to use 'defence' when speaking the King's English.

 

 

The misspelling was boviously deliberat.

[Badger]

On 21/09/2025 at 15:47, Lord Duckhunter said:

 We look like a pub team, like Weasley tells them where they’re playing & they just go out and play as the want. 

Glad he’s been ‘christened’ .

I wondered how long it would take, and what it would be. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

3 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

I was tempted to start a new thread for discussion about the coaching staff but put this post here nevertheless.  Still needs help and at the moment he does not seem to be getting it from those who are supposed to help him.

This is a really good point. You've got a relatively junior manager who hasn't managed teams in English leagues so he needs support and advice from the other coaching staff. What are they doing to earn their salt?

I remember times when a manager would bring his coaching staff with him and then the coaching staff are all singing on the same proverbial page. Cloughie had Taylor, Ferguson had Phelan, Martin O'Neill had Robertson & Keane.....Ralph had Rohl. Do managers still bring their 2ic's and teams with them? Clubs don't like it because it's easier to replace an individual rather than a team of people and perhaps this is why a manager's tenure is so limited nowadays.

[Badger]

4 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

This is a really good point. You've got a relatively junior manager who hasn't managed teams in English leagues so he needs support and advice from the other coaching staff. What are they doing to earn their salt?

I remember times when a manager would bring his coaching staff with him and then the coaching staff are all singing on the same proverbial page. Cloughie had Taylor, Ferguson had Phelan, Martin O'Neill had Robertson & Keane.....Ralph had Rohl. Do managers still bring their 2ic's and teams with them? Clubs don't like it because it's easier to replace an individual rather than a team of people and perhaps this is why a manager's tenure is so limited nowadays.

Most managers (or head coaches as often now termed) tend to bring an assistant and possibly backroom team with them. Lego had about three or four. Ralph seemed an exception, not replacing Rohl after he left.
 

Agree with the point though that we seem a bit light in terms of the coaching staff around Still. 

 

[Saint Fan CaM]

3 hours ago, Badger said:

Most managers (or head coaches as often now termed) tend to bring an assistant and possibly backroom team with them. Lego had about three or four. Ralph seemed an exception, not replacing Rohl after he left.
 

Agree with the point though that we seem a bit light in terms of the coaching staff around Still. 

 

Nah, that can’t be it - Still has Cap’t Jack to provide all the necessary support he needs. Plus Lallana. 😉🤔😂

[pimpin4rizeal]

Think the most disappointing thing with stilll he was made out to be super analytical tactical genius yet here we are with most of his game plan being get it into the mixer for strikers that don’t suit that kind of service. He talks well in the pressers but not seeing much in games .. anyone that rates baz is also a red flag

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Yes he looked a little flustered in the post game interview. Yes he doesn't give the smarmy answers that came out of the mouth of RM. But yesterday reaffirmed my view that we have a genuine manager who is learning the ropes and starting to get a handle on what's needed from our team.

AA (if you're going to play him) was in the right position yesterday. There was more intent and purpose in the passing. The tempo was, at times, a lot quicker, with (dare I say it) some one touch passes. 

Who does Still play in central defence? Unfortunately, think his hands are tied with Jack Stephens but Wood must surely get a start against Middlesbro. 

[S-Clarke]

3 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Yes he looked a little flustered in the post game interview. Yes he doesn't give the smarmy answers that came out of the mouth of RM. But yesterday reaffirmed my view that we have a genuine manager who is learning the ropes and starting to get a handle on what's needed from our team.

AA (if you're going to play him) was in the right position yesterday. There was more intent and purpose in the passing. The tempo was, at times, a lot quicker, with (dare I say it) some one touch passes. 

Who does Still play in central defence? Unfortunately, think his hands are tied with Jack Stephens but Wood must surely get a start against Middlesbro. 

Not sure learning the ropes is totally fair, more a case of learning the squad and players he has and how he gets the best out of them here.

I know people rewind to pre-season saying that's when a manager does this, which is fair in most cases...but we had such a churn post pre-season, so since around Mid-Aug we've kind of had to reset again and he's got another load of new players to adapt.

The point I usually start seriously questioning managers is when they start seeing a different game to me, that's when they're waffling and flapping around with their answers (so brave, so proud, front footedness, I've ignored my principles etc etc - all that shit). But Still is still seeing the same game as me and he's calling out what we're seeing, not trying to cover it up or smarm his way out or have on-camera mental breakdowns like previous managers did.

I notice people are saying it's a negative that he's so moody and not very positive, but if you step back he's actually mirroring exactly what we're feeling like to. He's as frustrated as the rest of us because he knows what's needed.

Edited 19 hours ago by S-Clarke

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

7 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Not sure learning the ropes is totally fair, more a case of learning the squad and players he has and how he gets the best out of them here.

I know people rewind to pre-season saying that's when a manager does this, which is fair in most cases...but we had such a churn post pre-season, so since around Mid-Aug we've kind of had to reset again and he's got another load of new players to adapt.

The point I usually start seriously questioning managers is when they start seeing a different game to me, that's when they're waffling and flapping around with their answers (so brave, so proud, front footedness, I've ignored my principles etc etc - all that shit). But Still is still seeing the same game as me and he's calling out what we're seeing, not trying to cover it up or smarm his way out or have on-camera mental breakdowns like previous managers did.

I notice people are saying it's a negative that he's so moody and not very positive, but if you step back he's actually mirroring exactly what we're feeling like to. He's as frustrated as the rest of us because he knows what's needed.

Agree with all of this. Last time I felt an affinity with a manager, someone who I felt cared about the club, was Ralph Hassenhutl. Will Still is sending the same signals that he doesn't just care about his career, he wants his team and his club to succeed.  Think we have a genuine person here. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

My concern is you have to pick people based on merit, who’s trained well, who’s not made errors etc etc.

Not because they’re captain, or they’re the latest signing, on they’re on high wages etc 

[Maggie May]

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

You ok hun?

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

1 hour ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in about a year. 

Maybe.

Edited 8 hours ago by TheAlehouseBrawlers

[sockeye]

2 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

Yeah, it has been some time since we actually put up a fight against Liverpool tbf …  

[ally_uk]

Body language I think Still looks on edge / anxious I noticed it immediately during preseason when he introduced new signings to the group. It was a uncomfortable watch felt for him

I was thinking if I'm sitting here thinking he is nervous what are the players thinking ?

I get the same vibe during interviews he just looks really uncomfortable and doesn't really have anything  about him charisma wise...  I've suffered anxiety most of my life and recognise the signs am I the only one noticing this ? 

 

 

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

#Nod 

We fucking lost…

[Willo of Whiteley]

The thing is he could be great behind the scenes. A lot of player interviews seem to be saying they like him etc.

The problem is he has to get the fans onside now, and whether it’s him just being deadpan, saying it as things are are sometimes good routes to go down, it doesn’t inspire confidence.

[Toadhall Saint]

Presser today?

[Saint86]

4 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

It was one of the best team performances we've had in the past 2years. But fundamentally its a better team. Even playing with 9men second half (downs and robinson were non-existent or even helped liverpool) and Macca in goal - which just shows that at least the rest of that team is at a higher standard than previous seasons.

[skintsaint]

4 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I’m going to put it out there. The performance against Liverpool was the best we’ve played in years. 

Another 'brave' loss, we have so many. Then playing absolutely nothing like it next game.

[trousers]

12 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Presser today?

13:30

[pingpong]

1 hour ago, ally_uk said:

Body language I think Still looks on edge / anxious I noticed it immediately during preseason when he introduced new signings to the group. It was a uncomfortable watch felt for him

I was thinking if I'm sitting here thinking he is nervous what are the players thinking ?

I get the same vibe during interviews he just looks really uncomfortable and doesn't really have anything  about him charisma wise...  I've suffered anxiety most of my life and recognise the signs am I the only one noticing this ? 

 

 

 

Think you might be projecting, listen to him on the touchline and you'll see how confident and assured he is in his communication, it's just a shame he can't be on both sides of the pitch to get live messages across.  Just a matter of time before the players get it and can start making the right decisions by themselves.

[Mr X]

1 hour ago, pingpong said:

Think you might be projecting, listen to him on the touchline and you'll see how confident and assured he is in his communication, it's just a shame he can't be on both sides of the pitch to get live messages across.  Just a matter of time before the players get it and can start making the right decisions by themselves.

You honestly believe this? 

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Saint86 said:

It was one of the best team performances we've had in the past 2years. But fundamentally its a better team. Even playing with 9men second half (downs and robinson were non-existent or even helped liverpool) and Macca in goal - which just shows that at least the rest of that team is at a higher standard than previous seasons.

A tad harsh on Robinson who came on fairly late in the game so didn't have long to get up to speed.

[saint michael]

I don’t think it’s the players only just starting to understand what Still wants I think that seems fairly obvious when he talks. I think the performances are littered with lack of composure under pressure and the skill and ability to do the basic football stuff well. They don’t strike you as a team in anything they do just individuals.

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, saint michael said:

I don’t think it’s the players only just starting to understand what Still wants I think that seems fairly obvious when he talks. I think the performances are littered with lack of composure under pressure and the skill and ability to do the basic football stuff well. They don’t strike you as a team in anything they do just individuals.

Thought we looked like a proper team with good shape and intentions against Liverpool.

[Osvaldorama]

6 minutes ago, saintant said:

Thought we looked like a proper team with good shape and intentions against Liverpool.

I agree, we looked a lot better, like a team instead of a rabble. 
Hopefully a sign of improvement and not a false dawn. I watched the game with a spurs fan and a United fan and they both thought we looked very good and were unlucky as well. 
 

Im very interested in this weekend’s lineup as I don’t think THB or Stephens deserve a place back in the side. I’m intrigued to see what he decides 

[saintant]

29 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

I agree, we looked a lot better, like a team instead of a rabble. 
Hopefully a sign of improvement and not a false dawn. I watched the game with a spurs fan and a United fan and they both thought we looked very good and were unlucky as well. 
 

Im very interested in this weekend’s lineup as I don’t think THB or Stephens deserve a place back in the side. I’m intrigued to see what he decides 

Me too but we all know Capt Shoehorn starts every game unless he has two broken legs. Why is anybody's guess.

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Thought we looked like a proper team with good shape and intentions against Liverpool.

Agreed, that was the best performance in a very long time. Since the playoffs at least.