25/26 - Non Saints Games

[whelk]

Multiview is ok if you can put up with Lee Hendrie

[Lighthouse]

Two years ago people were saying that Luton gave the PL a right good go and they’d be one of the favourites to go straight back up. This year a lot of people said Wrexham and Birmingham were well set to ‘do an Ipswich’ and make the playoffs at the very least.

It’s absolute folly to be making such definitive long term statements as, ‘Saints won’t be in the promotion hunt for years to come’, just because we’re currently mid-table. We’re not on the edge of financial solvency and we’ve got a lot of decent players on long contracts.

Wolves, West Ham… I don’t fear them more than any other three clubs which might be relegated.

[Willo of Whiteley]

The time-wasting, diving and feigning of injuries on both sides in this Arsenal v Villa game is shambolic.

How refreshing would it be to see fines given for this shit.
Commentators never call out this.

[Maggie May]

I’m so done with possession-based, passing football.  Watching United against a team as poor as Wolves tonight is as frustrating as watching us.  They never look like scoring despite all the possession and are open to conceding. It’s so pointless.  Just get it forward and direct.  The players can’t enjoy this. It’s devoid of any passion.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

The time-wasting, diving and feigning of injuries on both sides in this Arsenal v Villa game is shambolic.

How refreshing would it be to see fines given for this shit.
Commentators never call out this.

A number of Man It's players falling over with a touch. Ref just lets the game flow. Had Fernandes been playing he would have exploded with rage at his cheating not being rewarded.

[austsaint]

Danny Rohl doing well at Rangers with Rusty’s squad.    The one that got away?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

9 hours ago, austsaint said:

Danny Rohl doing well at Rangers with Rusty’s squad.    The one that got away?

Was it not a case of bad timing and Rohl messing Saints about?

Wednesday were a mess and the then chairman put a ridiculous release fee on Rohl? 

Who knows. 

[Saint NL]

Wrexham are quietly racking up some wins, just outside the playoff places now after a 2-0 win away at Blackburn.

 

[AlexLaw76]

Watching Sunderland v City.

Sunderland are proper gong for it, have real pace and power, and a cool head in the middle of the park in Xhaka (we would never ever have signed him).

Interesting, Sunderland don't have 3 CBs in the middle of Defence... 🤣

[Maggie May]

Sheffield United will go up along with Ipswich.

[S-Clarke]

For people who think 'the club dictating the style of play' is a conspiracy theory, then Chelsea's approach confirms the modern world of football, and it's almost certainly how we also operate across the SR group of clubs.

'The process to replace the Italian is under way, and it is understood Englishman Rosenior is the frontrunner, though sources have stressed other candidates are also under consideration.

Rosenior's current employers are owned by investment vehicle BlueCo - the consortium set up to purchase Chelsea in 2022.

'The club will not change their style of play, so it is highly unlikely they would move for Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.'

Am I old school, or should it be about finding the best manager and letting them build their style and image on the club - they should always be the head of the operation. This modern 'approach' is destroying football in front of our eyes.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, S-Clarke said:

For people who think 'the club dictating the style of play' is a conspiracy theory, then Chelsea's approach confirms the modern world of football, and it's almost certainly how we also operate across the SR group of clubs.

'The process to replace the Italian is under way, and it is understood Englishman Rosenior is the frontrunner, though sources have stressed other candidates are also under consideration.

Rosenior's current employers are owned by investment vehicle BlueCo - the consortium set up to purchase Chelsea in 2022.

'The club will not change their style of play, so it is highly unlikely they would move for Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.'

Am I old school, or should it be about finding the best manager and letting them build their style and image on the club - they should always be the head of the operation. This modern 'approach' is destroying football in front of our eyes.

I get that, but there has to be an element of finding a manager that best suits the players you currently have as a starting point?

 

[S-Clarke]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

I get that, but there has to be an element of finding a manager that best suits the players you currently have as a starting point?

 

But if you pick a good enough manager they should be good enough to figure out a formula, which includes addressing any missing pieces in the transfer window. 

I think their recruitment is scattergun at best anyway, so they'll probably change the club style of play in a few months and sign a whole load of new types in the summer. The way they run their club is very similar to us actually, another multi-club 'everyone's hands in the pie' approach, not actually giving any manager true authority over the calls.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, S-Clarke said:

But if you pick a good enough manager they should be good enough to figure out a formula, which includes addressing any missing pieces in the transfer window. 

I think their recruitment is scattergun at best anyway, so they'll probably change the club style of play in a few months and sign a whole load of new types in the summer. The way they run their club is very similar to us actually, another multi-club 'everyone's hands in the pie' approach, not actually giving any manager true authority over the calls.

I agree, but the top teams kind of want the man now, not someone who needs to rebuild to suit their style, when they can just get another elite manager who is more suited to their squad.

I can see why Chelsea will not go for Glasner, more so when they have the pick of much of world football.....whether they choose wisely is another matter.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I agree, but the top teams kind of want the man now, not someone who needs to rebuild to suit their style, when they can just get another elite manager who is more suited to their squad.

I can see why Chelsea will not go for Glasner, more so when they have the pick of much of world football.....whether they choose wisely is another matter.

I wouldn't call Rosenior elite though, that's what makes it all a bit bonkers from the crazies at Chelsea and BlueCo.

[Football Special]

31 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

Sheffield United will go up along with Ipswich.

Certainly looking like they’ll rise up the table, what on earth was Selles doing there to lose all his games 

[HarvSFC]

27 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

But if you pick a good enough manager they should be good enough to figure out a formula, which includes addressing any missing pieces in the transfer window. 

I think their recruitment is scattergun at best anyway, so they'll probably change the club style of play in a few months and sign a whole load of new types in the summer. The way they run their club is very similar to us actually, another multi-club 'everyone's hands in the pie' approach, not actually giving any manager true authority over the calls.

How Joe Shields got picked up by Chelsea after a scattergun summer here and remains in position always astounds me. 

[Badger]

33 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

For people who think 'the club dictating the style of play'…

Am I old school, or should it be about finding the best manager and letting them build their style and image on the club - they should always be the head of the operation. This modern 'approach' is destroying football in front of our eyes.

This is it for me as well. Appoint a manager to build the club, although the flaw in that in the modern world is that he won’t want to stay around longer than two seasons (three at the outside) to see it through. Would such a job appeal to a manager ? 
 

Nowadays the strategy seems to be a Director of Sport signs the players, and a coach is appointed to oversee it, not necessarily deciding on tactics and team selection. 
 

Was it Lowe who commented that the manager was just another employee ? If so he was perhaps ahead of the game in publicly stating it. 

[Rut]

Why do Saints fans call the Manchester teams 'city' & 'united'?

Does my fucking head in.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Rut said:

Why do Saints fans call the Manchester teams 'city' & 'united'?

Does my fucking head in.

I am not sure this is just saints fans

[Rut]

1 hour ago, Maggie May said:

Sheffield United will go up along with Ipswich.

Sheff Utd currently 7/1. Ipswich 1/3.

Pays around 10/1 for them both to go up. I think that's a risky bet but fair play if you know something that the bookies don't.

How much have you put on? 

Current best odds link:

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion

[Rut]

Talking of teams called 'something' United.

Good point for Leeds United today. West Ham United starting to get proper worried. What 3 teams go down - if it doesn't include them?

[AlexLaw76]

13 minutes ago, Rut said:

Talking of teams called 'something' United.

Good point for Leeds United today. West Ham United starting to get proper worried. What 3 teams go down - if it doesn't include them?

yeah, if you are talking about the match they are in and not playing another 'United' or 'City'

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Certainly looking like they’ll rise up the table, what on earth was Selles doing there to lose all his games 

It's like a pullover, facial hair, repetitive press conferences and one trick tactics went wrong. Of course that can't be the case as it would undermine everything SR value too, and that's worked out fi...oh...

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Rangers getting taken apart by Celtic in the Old Firm match.

Only a goal in it, and Celtic are poor enough to have conceded a couple of chances. But they should have been out of sight.

Interesting to see a 3 at the back Rohl team, assembled by Martin, get hammered when playing it out. Poor decision making and taking too much time against a team playing at a higher tempo.

Although, nominally 4 at the back, Celtic are a 3 when supporting their wingers you are causing all sorts of problems. Remember the deliberate gaps we would leave at full back under Martin? Those are getting exploited. Celtic 3 on 1 from Rangers own corner was another flashback.

A game showing how to pass through a team at pace, with a plan. One for Tonda to watch.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Unlike Martin, Rohl ditched a number of things from the first half. All level.

[AlexLaw76]

The manager we should have had, changed it up, now winning

[benjii]

Entertaining match.

[Willo of Whiteley]

I’m surprised Marinakis hasn’t sacked Sean Dyche yet at Forest.

They’ve had a couple of results but no real improvement in their overall table position.

Brentford I thought were a certainty to go down, never have I been so wrong

[AlexLaw76]

1-3 to Rangers

[Midfield_General]

Great game. 

Rohl slowly pulling Rangers into title contention and showing just what an appalling job Martin did with the same players. 

But how the fuck is Paul Tisdale director of football at Celtic? That’s hilarious.

Edited Saturday at 14:15 by Midfield_General

[whelk]

Rangers at 3/1 was a gift. Although didn’t look like after first half but thanks bookies….for now 

[Turkish]

Weird game, Celtic overran them first half second half been night and day. If Baz had let in the third one we’d all be in meltdown, poor from Schmicheal. Soon as Rangers equalised only one winner 

[Midfield_General]

Nancy looking like he might be in contention for the Nathan Jones trophy for how quickly you can get appointed and then sacked. Took over a team who’d won 7 out of 8, changed it all, and has now lost 6 in 8 with the same players. But apparently managers and formations aren’t important, according to some on here 🤣

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Nancy looking like he might be in contention for the Nathan Jones trophy for how quickly you can get appointed and then sacked. Took over a team who’d won 7 out of 8, changed it all, and has now lost 6 in 8 with the same players. But apparently managers and formations aren’t important, according to some on here 🤣

I expect quite a few Celtic’s fans are boasting on the Celtic web how they were right all along that the players aren’t good enough 

[whelk]

3 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I expect quite a few Celtic’s fans are boasting on the Celtic web how they were right all along that the players aren’t good enough 

There must be a get Ange back thread I’d guess

[AlexLaw76]

“One way Wilf” is what the Celtic manager is called.
 

Edited Saturday at 14:28 by AlexLaw76

[whelk]

Could we buy Kieran Tierney?

[whelk]

Got to smile at the completely unbiased Kris Boyd telling Celtic to keep patience with Nancy

[Turkish]

7 minutes ago, whelk said:

Could we buy Kieran Tierney?

I like the look of Mikey Moore

Edited Saturday at 14:35 by Turkish

[LGTL]

The manager we should have had right from the summer. Fucking ridiculous we let him pass. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

A tale of 2 fragile clubs.

6 out of 8 defeats for one of these 2 is the end for the manager. Just as Martin's lack of wins was the end for him.

Yet, Celtic were miles better in that first half. The striker, Iheanacho, they brought in late is injured. From what I've seen of Kenny, he's incredibly wasteful. A finisher would have made all the difference to all those first half attacks. Rodgers left because of the lack on incoming quality. Nancy can look to how many chances they can create under him.

Yet, as Rohl executed in the second half, over complicating things in Scottish domestic leagues can be counter productive. Martin O'Neil knew that when he came in and brought wins with the same squad.

Rohl ditched a lot of pitching his system against Celtic's. Take off an attacker, win the midfield, support a flatter defence and trust in the physical attributes of your forwards.

Physical strength is something Celtic have none of up front. Rangers were able to use it to go more direct in behind and use their extra midfielder to support. Celtic were pushed back with their iffy defence repeating blunders of the first half and now conceding goals.

Nancy coming out with an equivalent to Martin's it's not the winning that counts isn't going to work there. Changing so much, without the squad in place to see it through, isn't going to work either.

Despite that first half, there were chants against the board, and Nancy walked off down the tunnel alone. With the window open, and having not invested as many felt they should have, in the summer, there's pressure on the Celtic board.

Rangers have had an uptick since they changed at the top, and are looking to recruit.

[BarberSaint]

23 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A tale of 2 fragile clubs.

6 out of 8 defeats for one of these 2 is the end for the manager. Just as Martin's lack of wins was the end for him.

Yet, Celtic were miles better in that first half. The striker, Iheanacho, they brought in late is injured. From what I've seen of Kenny, he's incredibly wasteful. A finisher would have made all the difference to all those first half attacks. Rodgers left because of the lack on incoming quality. Nancy can look to how many chances they can create under him.

Yet, as Rohl executed in the second half, over complicating things in Scottish domestic leagues can be counter productive. Martin O'Neil knew that when he came in and brought wins with the same squad.

Rohl ditched a lot of pitching his system against Celtic's. Take off an attacker, win the midfield, support a flatter defence and trust in the physical attributes of your forwards.

Physical strength is something Celtic have none of up front. Rangers were able to use it to go more direct in behind and use their extra midfielder to support. Celtic were pushed back with their iffy defence repeating blunders of the first half and now conceding goals.

Nancy coming out with an equivalent to Martin's it's not the winning that counts isn't going to work there. Changing so much, without the squad in place to see it through, isn't going to work either.

Despite that first half, there were chants against the board, and Nancy walked off down the tunnel alone. With the window open, and having not invested as many felt they should have, in the summer, there's pressure on the Celtic board.

Rangers have had an uptick since they changed at the top, and are looking to recruit.

Flynn D please.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

On 01/01/2026 at 22:18, Rut said:

Why do Saints fans call the Manchester teams 'city' & 'united'?

Because pretty much anyone who has ever followed English football will know who you mean, unless it's specified otherwise?

[SW5 SAINT]

57 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Nancy looking like he might be in contention for the Nathan Jones trophy for how quickly you can get appointed and then sacked. Took over a team who’d won 7 out of 8, changed it all, and has now lost 6 in 8 with the same players. But apparently managers and formations aren’t important, according to some on here 🤣

We’ve had a few contenders for that, and maybe in the future….

I wonder if Russell will get a medal if Rangers win the Scottish league….?

[Midfield_General]

1 minute ago, SW5 SAINT said:

We’ve had a few contenders for that, and maybe in the future….

I wonder if Russell will get a medal if Rangers win the Scottish league….?

I'm sure when he's giving his next tactical masterclass interview on Sky he'll be talking about how he put the foundations in place and built a platform for Danny to achieve success

[benjii]

West LOL United.

[OttawaSaint]

How is that a penalty for Wolves? Both players challenged for loose ball, so soft. What a joke. 

[East Kent Saint]

West Ham taking over Saints job of reviving duff teams 😄

[OttawaSaint]

3-0! Oh boy!