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.