Will Still

[Lighthouse]

2 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

It would help if he didn’t keep taking off his best player.

I’m not bothered about that so much, the last thing we want is Leo getting injured. It’s the fact that he brought on Stephens when Robinson was the very obvious like for like replacement. Even Downs would have been a better option, having already taken a striker off for Fellows.

[stfrancisofbenali]

10 hours ago, Chez said:

I take your point, but if we'd signed McBernie this summer, I think there would have been a fair bit of discontent on this forum. He's had a good start to the season, but we are talking about a 29 year old that scored 3 goals in 34 games for las palmas last season and 26 goals in 134 appearances for sheff united. No one was calling for McBernie this summer, so mentioning him now seems a bit unfair. No argument that Downs has not worked out, so far, so any other striker would have been preferable, but let's suggest McBernie was a consideration...we had to aim higher than him. Shame we didn't manage it.

I was using him as an example of a big, gnarly, Championship-hardened target man for others to work off rather than suggesting he was our dream signing! We don't have that player and (with other experienced signings) it would have made an enormous difference in terms of leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room.

[stfrancisofbenali]

7 hours ago, Saint NL said:

Just incase anyone wants a reminder on just how far we've fallen

And the board refused to open the purse strings so he buggered off to Goodison. That was our chance to 'do a Leicester.'

[Mr X]

To me he should have three more games max to sort this shit show out... More losses or no signs of improvement than he has to go as harsh as that may sound... I don't think the players truly believe in him which is a problem! 

[stfrancisofbenali]

1 hour ago, Saint NL said:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cyv866mg6e3o

 

Sounds like he's grown a pair

He's 100% right. Whether you're Still in or Still out, you've got to respect this approach.

[sockeye]

1 minute ago, Mr X said:

I don't think the players truly believe in him which is a problem!

I understand what you're saying on paper, but my heart can't accept it. No way.

Why do players have to believe in a manager to put their all in on the pitch?

Many of us on this board have put a lot of effort in our own careers to move up onto the next level and better ourselves.

Similarly, these players have had to back themselves through years of meat grinder youth football.

But now, they have no intrinsic motivation? Don't they want to play at the highest level? And if they can reach the Premier League, they literally earnt the right to be there.

Unless they've already accepted they can't hack it at the top level, and are dealing with the sobering realisation they've already peaked.

Is it really acceptable to have players with a loser mentality like that?

[die Mannyschaft]

8 minutes ago, sockeye said:

I understand what you're saying on paper, but my heart can't accept it. No way.

Why do players have to believe in a manager to put their all in on the pitch?

Many of us on this board have put a lot of effort in our own careers to move up onto the next level and better ourselves.

Similarly, these players have had to back themselves through years of meat grinder youth football.

But now, they have no intrinsic motivation? Don't they want to play at the highest level? And if they can reach the Premier League, they literally earnt the right to be there.

Unless they've already accepted they can't hack it at the top level, and are dealing with the sobering realisation they've already peaked.

Is it really acceptable to have players with a loser mentality like that?

Its a big reality check to many of tge players both with the standard of play so far, the expected top 2 finishing then was 6th place, now mid table with any further draws/loss means players have to battle to avoid drop.

Not playing for manager or for the team due to under performance would be difficult for Still to manage. Also how are players going to get a transfer to another better club deliberately playing crap.

I think its more the case that players are not as good as thier social media clips or CV had us belive.

If Still left then players would need to step up under caretaker manager for several weeks. 

Need to see a 200% improvement v Preston. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

26 minutes ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

He's 100% right. Whether you're Still in or Still out, you've got to respect this approach.

Actions speak louder than words. The article quotes Still as saying: "Let's push and be positive". Well, let's push Will. Let's be positive Will. Let's create loads of chances where even our strikers will knock in one or two.

And let's stop be negative with having 5 at the back!

[Badger]

 

2 hours ago, Saint NL said:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cyv866mg6e3o

 

Sounds like he's grown a pair

 

1 hour ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

He's 100% right. Whether you're Still in or Still out, you've got to respect this approach.

Agree it's a good rallying call, and of course headline.

But noticed this in the article 

 

Quote

"We need to manage games better and stop feeling sorry for ourselves - that's one thing I can't stand. In a rude way, shut up and get on with it.

Does that include not bringing Stephens on for Scienza , or other ludicrous substitutions in future ?

[WALK DMC]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m not bothered about that so much, the last thing we want is Leo getting injured. It’s the fact that he brought on Stephens when Robinson was the very obvious like for like replacement. Even Downs would have been a better option, having already taken a striker off for Fellows.

I think that the issue can be traced back to Still's obsession with 3 at the back. Rather than start 4 at the back, and push Edwards into DM, he used Finn Azaz as a DM. I think that Azaz will make a big contribution to Saints in the future, but only if they release his creative talent and play him as a 10 just behind the striker. 

Azaz as a DM was poor (with the odd exception including a fabulous through ball for one of Armstrong's misses), and Blackburn took control in the 2nd half. Still wanted to strengthen the DM area, which is why Stephens  came on for Scienza and Azaz played further forward replacing him on the left wing.  So, in practice it was a like for like replacement. The fact that it didn't work wasn't a huge surprise (has any one seen Stephens play well as DM ? ), but I actually think that Still had the right idea (strengthen midfield and try and regain control), he just picked the wrong player to put on (& take off). 

Lastly, is it me, or are Scienza's performances weaker in the 2nd half of games ?  He always seems stronger in the first half of matches - I can't say that I have seen enough to be sure, but he could be a player that runs out of steam. However, I suspect that Still will think twice about taking him off in the future 🙂 

[saint michael]

Still needs to stop their pay until they win to see what they feel like and how they react.
There is little consequence to their shit performances. The supporters spend amazing amounts and really are the only ones that carry the consequence without being able to change the outcome. Give the fans something to be optimistic about and you will hear the difference. 

[HKsaint]

“This scenario is not new, it was happening last season too.”  - oh my God, he believes we are still playing in the premier league. 

[skintsaint]

16 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

“This scenario is not new, it was happening last season too.”  - oh my God, he believes we are still playing in the premier league. 

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, HKsaint said:

“This scenario is not new, it was happening last season too.”  - oh my God, he believes we are still playing in the premier league. 

McCarthy 

Edwards Wood Quarshie Mads 

Jander Sesay 

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Downs 

We could play that team tomorrow with virtually no significant influence from last season. 

[Saint_clark]

5 hours ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

And the board refused to open the purse strings so he buggered off to Goodison. That was our chance to 'do a Leicester.'

Greatest example of false economy. Just giving him the (reported) £7million a year he wanted would have cost us far, far less than the amount we spent on hiring and sacking managers in the few years after. 

[Saint_clark]

5 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Actions speak louder than words. The article quotes Still as saying: "Let's push and be positive". Well, let's push Will. Let's be positive Will. Let's create loads of chances where even our strikers will knock in one or two.

And let's stop be negative with having 5 at the back!

Given the type of chances we've been missing already i'm not sure what type of chances you're expecting.

67 shots on goal in the last 3 games and 2 goals scored. How many chances do you want us to create!?

[trousers]

13 hours ago, Saint NL said:

Just incase anyone wants a reminder on just how far we've fallen

 

6 hours ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

And the board refused to open the purse strings so he buggered off to Goodison. That was our chance to 'do a Leicester.'

 

8 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Greatest example of false economy. Just giving him the (reported) £7million a year he wanted would have cost us far, far less than the amount we spent on hiring and sacking managers in the few years after. 

Yep, not backing Koeman at that point in time was our 'sliding doors' moment and, ultimately, why we find ourselves where we are today...

[Smirking_Saint]

18 hours ago, Saint86 said:

You are correct. Fellows was top for assists last year (14).

Adam Armstrong (described above as "just okay" based on his "last full championship season") was top for combined goals and assists (with 34) - 10% higher than the player in 2nd place (Sammie Szmodics) with Summerville (who i think got player of the season) managing only 28😆. Always weird to see how we denigrate AA on here, he's a great player for the champ level, and if people think we're struggling now i'd dread to think what we'd be like without him.......

Finn Azaz was also 3rd for combined goals and assists last season with boro with 23 (11 assists, 12 goals) - and worth repeating again that Fellows was top for assists on 14. Incidentally, Piroe came top last season with 26 (19goals - top scorer) in a far far better side than boro (which incidentally is also a long way short of AA's "just okay" 34... FML  😆).

Moving to Charles. Fotmob have him as statistically the 8th best midfielder in the league last season, in which he was largely used defensively - Not bad for a young player having his first full season on regular senior football in a very average Sheffield Wednesday side. For reference, he was behind Brownhill (promoted), tanaka (promoted), Cullen (promoted), Jason Knight (Bristol C), Hackey (boro), Souza (now Bundesliga), Mowatt (WBA). All of those players had more experience than Charles and played in better teams than him, whereas he will have been developing the entire time. So yes, he is one of the best central midfielders in the league (should be obvious to anyone watching him imo). Sadly i'd expect him to be one of the first ones out the door in the summer when the club needs to raise more funds.

Respectfully, i'd suggest that anyone who doesn't rate the above players as some as the best in the league for their respective positions is letting the current negativity get to them or somehow trying to defend Still. And that's without considering players like Downes, Jander, Scienza (who is quality) etc.

Our CMs / wingers / AMs / STs should be doing far far better than they are. We blatantly have a very good squad on paper - its on the manager to get them performing.
 

 

Exactly this, I keep reading on here and listening to podcasters and YouTubers saying that the issue is 100% the players and the club, and Still needs more time

I just don’t see it.. SR do a lot wrong, they are culpable for the majority of whats wrong with this club, but they bought well imo (outside of a striker, thats 100% criminal), we have a first 11 that rightly, on paper, should be challenging comfortably

We keep hearing the players have relegation hangover.. well it was only really Manning and Armstrong from Blackburn that played significantly last year, we’ve seen a large rotation of players and why has Still not had a positive impact ?

For me the issue is Still… we’re 12 games in and he still clearly doesn’t know his best 11, still finding his best formation and quite bizarrely still dropping the marquee signings he made in the summer

Im not blaming SR in this instance for hiring Still.. I do think he was a good appointment, on paper, at the time… but clearly it’s not worked and for me doesn’t look like it will

[Smirking_Saint]

10 hours ago, danjosaint said:

Is that a thinly veiled dig implying he wants to play 4231 but there are other forces at play 

No you whopper

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

5 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Given the type of chances we've been missing already i'm not sure what type of chances you're expecting.

67 shots on goal in the last 3 games and 2 goals scored. How many chances do you want us to create!?

When you say it like that, it suggests we're continually peppering the opposition goals with shots and chances. It's this obsession with statistics. At the games, it doesn't feel like that. Yes, AA's misses at Blackburn were standout - both were chances on the break - but when the opposition camps in, we seem very pedestrian and unable to break them down and create proper opportunities.  

[Weston Super Saint]

1 minute ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

When you say it like that, it suggests we're continually peppering the opposition goals with shots and chances. It's this obsession with statistics. At the games, it doesn't feel like that. Yes, AA's misses at Blackburn were standout - both were chances on the break - but when the opposition camps in, we seem very pedestrian and unable to break them down and create proper opportunities.  

Apart from the 67 shots on goal in the last 3 matches?

How many 'proper' opportunities should we be creating?

[Sheaf Saint]

11 hours ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

He's 100% right. Whether you're Still in or Still out, you've got to respect this approach.

Not sure about that. He says we need to stop moaning and finding excuses when things aren't going right, but that's exactly what he himself has been doing all season so far.

He needs to look in the mirror before having a pop at the players.

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Not sure about that. He says we need to stop moaning and finding excuses when things aren't going right, but that's exactly what he himself has been doing all season so far.

He needs to look in the mirror before having a pop at the players.

Yep he can't stop mentioning last season when surely he's the guy who should be helping shift the mentality? Martin did exactly the same. It's a cop out. 

[Gloucester Saint]

13 hours ago, danjosaint said:

Is that a thinly veiled dig implying he wants to play 4231 but there are other forces at play 

If it is he should do it anyway. Whether the dig is at SR boardroom or the pathetic nature of our centre backs isn’t clear.

[Patches O Houlihan]

52 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Yep he can't stop mentioning last season when surely he's the guy who should be helping shift the mentality? Martin did exactly the same. It's a cop out. 

Have you ever been parachuted into a disfunctional team as a manager and had to turn around the workplace mentality? I have. It was one of the hardest things I’ve achieved in my career - but they were only a team of 3, and had only been together 4 months.

Imagining that he could turn around Saints whilst being asked probing questions by the press for 20-40 minutes per week without ever mentioning anything that happened prior to June is quite a big ask

Edited yesterday at 08:07 by Patches O Houlihan
Extra

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I remain in the "keep Still in" camp, but his press comments are beginning to grate. Harping on about last year is just grasping at straws and we won't move on until he stops mentioning it.

Yes the players must shoulder a lot of the blame, but Still has chopped and changed the team so much I think half them don't know their arses from their elbows. Look at Fraser. Unexpectedly he started the season in good form only to inexplicably lose his place as Still juggled and tinkered. Now he looks back to his poor form of last season. Robinson was one of our best players in pre season and looked to fill the hole left by Dibling, but under WS has regressed. There are others who have gone backwards - Fellows, Azaz, Manning, Harwood-Bellis. Meanwhile players we let go are flourishing. Bree, Taylor, Onuachu to name but 3.

At the end of the day a good manager improves players, brings them on and gets the best out of them but the exact opposite is. happening from where I am stood. I am sure there is a good manager in there with Still but we sure as hell haven't seen it yet. 

Edited yesterday at 08:06 by Fitzhugh Fella
spelling

[Challenger]

Honestly, is anyone really expecting anything different from him and his team tomorrow ?

[hypochondriac]

35 minutes ago, Challenger said:

Honestly, is anyone really expecting anything different from him and his team tomorrow ?

IMO if we can't get up for the pompey game then I can't see it happening in other games.

[AlexLaw76]

49 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I remain in the "keep Still in" camp, but his press comments are beginning to grate. Harping on about last year is just grasping at straws and we won't move on until he stops mentioning it.

Yes the players must shoulder a lot of the blame, but Still has chopped and changed the team so much I think half them don't know their arses from their elbows. Look at Fraser. Unexpectedly he started the season in good form only to inexplicably lose his place as Still juggled and tinkered. Now he looks back to his poor form of last season. Robinson was one of our best players in pre season and looked to fill the hole left by Dibling, but under WS has regressed. There are others who have gone backwards - Fellows, Azaz, Manning, Harwood-Bellis. Meanwhile players we let go are flourishing. Bree, Taylor, Onuachu to name but 3.

At the end of the day a good manager improves players, brings them on and gets the best out of them but the exact opposite is. happening from where I am stood. I am sure there is a good manager in there with Still but we sure as hell haven't seen it yet. 

and after saying this, you are in the Will Still IN camp???

[AlexLaw76]

He keeps going on about the players/the club feeling sorry for itself.

GK - Keepers are ever present, he has no choice

RB - different

LB - Manning/Wellington. Wellington does not seem to be feeling sorry about it all

CBs - THB maybe, can't be Stephens he is captain and got a new deal. Edwards was out on loan, Wood maybe but his performances do not look like anything sorry. Quarshie just arrived.

CM - Charles out on loan and has been good. Downes probably, Jander just arrived, Aribo likely, Matsuki no idea. Azaz just arrived

Wide - Fraser started in form, but maybe. Robinson would be a huge surprise. Fellows & science just arrived. Edozie maybe. Arma no chance

ST - Archer, maybe. Downs maybe for completely different reasons. Stewart no chance other than his own injuries.

 

Staff - Trollope just arrived, so that leave 'Ads' and other coaches.

Considering the majority of a starting 11 are either new to the club, were out on loan last season, or like Arma/Stewart actually turning up/putting in a shift. That leaves little left to bring the whole house down.

It is the managers job to sort it, and it seems out of his reach

Edited yesterday at 09:11 by AlexLaw76

[Fitzhugh Fella]

30 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

and after saying this, you are in the Will Still IN camp???

Yep but only just. A defeat tomorrow.......

My reasons? 1. Not sure there is anyone better out there who would come. 2. I think our player recruitment in the summer has dealt him a poor hand. 3. He has potential - his record says that 4. We have had far to much instability with our managers which has meant promising players like Ballard/Amo-Ameyaw fall through the net.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, Challenger said:

Honestly, is anyone really expecting anything different from him and his team tomorrow ?

Nope

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Challenger said:

Honestly, is anyone really expecting anything different from him and his team tomorrow ?

Any day now it's going to click..... 

[Jack]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Any day now it's going to click..... 

[Bakovnetski]

If Still is now considering Aribo to return to the matchday squad then he has clearly run out of ideas and is showing he has little faith in the group of players that Spors/he brought in.

[stknowle]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

and after saying this, you are in the Will Still IN camp???

Haha my thoughts exactly. I also can’t get on board with the ‘I’m sure there is a good manager in there somewhere’ angle. I’ve seen nothing, NOTHING so far to suggest there is. 

[skintsaint]

3 minutes ago, Bakovnetski said:

If Still is now considering Aribo to return to the matchday squad then he has clearly run out of ideas and is showing he has little faith in the group of players that Spors/he brought in.

Or we have Charles and Downes out injured....so in comes Aribo.

[leesaint88]

2 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Or we have Charles and Downes out injured....so in comes Aribo.

This. Although there was a subtle hint that Aribo has to decide whether he wants to be involved, we suggests he's one of the sulking few at the club..

[lambtiss]

On 30/10/2025 at 09:53, LGTL said:

Should have got him in the summer. Should have got him once it was obvious Still is awful. Did neither and here we are stuck with the idiot. 

Sports Republic (think they) know best. 

[Harry_SFC]

4 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Have you ever been parachuted into a disfunctional team as a manager and had to turn around the workplace mentality? I have. It was one of the hardest things I’ve achieved in my career - but they were only a team of 3, and had only been together 4 months.

Imagining that he could turn around Saints whilst being asked probing questions by the press for 20-40 minutes per week without ever mentioning anything that happened prior to June is quite a big ask

No and I'm not saying it's easy and it should just happen overnight but he needs to stop going on about it and focus on the here and now. The more he mentions it, the more it looks like an excuse. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

Any day now it's going to click..... 

it already did with Flynn’s knee ligaments. Either that, or he has been in the kitchen again.

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Have you ever been parachuted into a disfunctional team as a manager and had to turn around the workplace mentality? I have. It was one of the hardest things I’ve achieved in my career - but they were only a team of 3, and had only been together 4 months.

Imagining that he could turn around Saints whilst being asked probing questions by the press for 20-40 minutes per week without ever mentioning anything that happened prior to June is quite a big ask

Twice, and it was very difficult. Had to move some toxic people on and re-energise everyone remaining with a fresh sense of purpose.

Where I wouldn’t compromise is interference from above or from disenchanted staff. They got us into the mess and the manager should be making 100% of the decisions to flip the culture. Don’t play 5 ATB if you say that’s not what you want. Pick a back 4 and set higher expectations. They are paid enough to do 250% better. And put trouble makers in the bomb squad, keep them away from the first team. However much SR might want to vainly recover the ‘investment’ in some of them. Loan the hopeless ones out, even if Dragan has to fund most of the wages, don’t put the likes of Downs on the bench to rescue Spors and don’t use Rasmus’s lame ducks to win favour from him. If you need a new keeper and #9 in January, say so in public.

As always with SR, the squad is plenty big enough!

Edited yesterday at 12:47 by Gloucester Saint

[lambtiss]

10 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

it already did with Flynn’s knee ligaments. Either that, or he has been in the kitchen again.

Now that his master has been relieved of his duties, they are probably having long walks together on the beach, hand in hand, talking about how unfair it is that nobody understands them.

Edited yesterday at 12:49 by lambtiss

[Saint_clark]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

No and I'm not saying it's easy and it should just happen overnight but he needs to stop going on about it and focus on the here and now. The more he mentions it, the more it looks like an excuse. 

If he's continually asked the same questions though he's going to have to give the same answers, surely. 

[notnowcato]

3 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

If he's continually asked the same questions though he's going to have to give the same answers, surely. 

He really doesn't

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

If he's continually asked the same questions though he's going to have to give the same answers, surely. 

 

30 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

He really doesn't

Faced with difficult, annoying questions, Will comes up with a new interview technique.

 

[skintsaint]

5 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

 

 

@ 1.29 ..different times 😅

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

26 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

@ 1.29 ..different times 😅

 

Mussolini has gone down a bit in my eyes, now. 🙂

[Willo of Whiteley]

Has anyone checked in on DT today? He hasn’t done his daily “Has the idiot gone yet?” post. 👀

[Willo of Whiteley]

Surely he can’t play five at the back again, can he..?

Can he….? 😢