Saints Vs Brighton friendly 2/8/25 3:30pm

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

I've watched nearly all of the pre-season friendlies and I still couldn't really tell you what our attacking style is supposed to be.  There's been no discernible patterns of attacking play for me.

IMO we have looked best when we've played up the middle, through the central midfield, but we seem very reluctant to do that.

Still's style is all about wingers pinging I think loads of crosses. We don't have any wingers so maybe that's having an impact I don't know. 

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

Fucking club should bow their heads in shame putting that shite out, even if it is partway through the window.

And why on earth is Edwards not starting instead of Stephens.  Not going in on the manager yet, but fucking hell.

[tdmickey3]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

Typically both got injured 

So the starting 11 next week will be worse…. Dear god.

Morphing into Stoke

[gio1saints]

Pretty much as expected 1st half. Attack v defence. Brighton look pretty slick. We are just trying to hold a shape.  We’ve had a few half chances but nothing that felt like growing pressure. A set piece is probably our best chance second half. Brighton on other hand look like they can pop up a gear whenever they want. 
pluses - Quarsie if he’s not nobbled.Downs runs effectively in the channel. Sesay- lad did alright. Shea ditto. The rest - meh. Cam at least looks like he’s trying . Ryan Fraser and Adam Armstrong basically ineffective. Ryan manning and Bree got their hands fullvs top forwards. Can’t fault baz for the goal and he did a good save early. We just are not holding possession long enough in their half to be dangerous. 
Yet another half in which we do not look like scoring and the opposition definitely do. Like all of last year. 

Edited Saturday at 15:26 by gio1saints

[Gloucester Saint]

18 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

What’s he done wrong? Great save earlier. 

Shaky after the disallowed goal but it was a decent first 20. #1 keeper signing a pressing priority as is some pace and width.

Edited Saturday at 15:27 by Gloucester Saint

[SWLondon Saint]

Not much you can really say about that, the goal we conceded was a classic PL type goal, back to front and right in the corner in about 10 seconds flat, we won't see that in the Champ.

Downs looks good, genuine yard of pace into the channels every chance he gets.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Been saying for weeks that we don't have the players required and don't look anywhere near ready. This sums it up.

There's no way we'll beat those Welsh c**ts next week. 

[bugenhagen]

4 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Tbf I think I’ll be injured next if we’re playing like this next week.

Don't know about injured, probably more "ill" like Fernandes...

[for_heaven's_Saint]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Still's style is all about wingers pinging I think loads of crosses. We don't have any wingers so maybe that's having an impact I don't know. 

Certainly doesn't help.  But what also doesn't help is that we are constantly looking to go direct down the line to our wide players, which is easy to play against.  I'd like to see us play through the middle, which would then make space for the wide men and give them more chance to pick a decent cross.

[saintant]

Gonna have to spend very wisely once the purse string are finally loosened. Lots to put right and improve upon.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

Certainly doesn't help.  But what also doesn't help is that we are constantly looking to go direct down the line to our wide players, which is easy to play against.  I'd like to see us play through the middle, which would then make space for the wide men and give them more chance to pick a decent cross.

With Fernandes not playing behind the strikers we don't really have much through the middle either. 

[tdmickey3]

5 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Been saying for weeks that we don't have the players required and don't look anywhere near ready. This sums it up.

There's no way we'll beat those Welsh c**ts next week. 

Former Premier League team humbled by former non league side… very depressing thought but very much on the cards…🥴

Edited Saturday at 15:33 by tdmickey3

[OldNick]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

Former Premier League team humbled by former no league side… very depressing thought but very much on the cards…🥴

I think Im going to phone the Samaritans to cheer myself up 

[hypochondriac]

Results don't matter but the manner of performances is quite concerning. Whatever system we are playing we have barely any goal threat. 

[saintant]

Seems like once Fernades and Dibling are sold Will Still will be almost starting from scratch in trying to build something.

[Saint NL]

Acres of space besides Manning for a change 🙄

[beatlesaint]

Has Quarshie gone off ?

[LGTL]

We are fucking miles off it and look every bit a mid to lower table Championship side. 

[bangkoksaint]

If Still knew certain players were going we should have planned and trained without them and simply worked with what we had because here we are with a week to go looking very poor

[saintant]

Just now, beatlesaint said:

Has Quarshie gone off ?

He's quite large so should be obvious 🙂

[SambaMaverick]

1 minute ago, beatlesaint said:

Has Quarshie gone off ?

No

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Seems like once Fernades and Dibling are sold Will Still will be almost starting from scratch in trying to build something.

And yet we were told the whole reason we bought him in early was to get a jump on everyone for the start of the season! Almost makes preseason pointless. 

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

Acres of space besides Manning for a change 🙄

No surprise because he is shit

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

With Fernandes not playing behind the strikers we don't really have much through the middle either. 

Apart from Charles, Downes when fit again, possibly Downs, AA and Archer if Still can get them going again, the squad assuming MF and TD off is hugely lacking in top 6 Champ quality. Need a lot of new faces quickly. 

[coalman]

If we are going to play Fraser it has to be wide. He can shoot and he can cross but not a lot else.

[Pamplemousse]

Fans forum should be interesting... Look forward to them trying to defend this

[tdmickey3]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

And yet we were told the whole reason we bought him in early was to get a jump on everyone for the start of the season! Almost makes preseason pointless. 

Is your position on it changing?

[SambaMaverick]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

No surprise because he is shit

To be fair to him, he's getting absolutely no help from whoever is supposed to be on his side. Plus Minteh is probably twice as quick as him.

[beatlesaint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

He's quite large so should be obvious 🙂

Had I been watching I’m sure you are correct

[LGTL]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

And yet we were told the whole reason we bought him in early was to get a jump on everyone for the start of the season! Almost makes preseason pointless. 

Pompey is September 14th. It’s a frankly ridiculous state of affairs yet completely unsurprising given the history of SR. 

[tdmickey3]

Just now, Pamplemousse said:

Fans forum should be interesting... Look forward to them trying to defend this

If been a supporter for 40 years…"…

[egg]

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, SambaMaverick said:

To be fair to him, he's getting absolutely no help from whoever is supposed to be on his side. Plus Minteh is probably twice as quick as him.

It’s the same whoever we play

[obelisk]

Saints passing in attacking areas is still far too poor. Needs more composure.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, egg said:

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

I thought that was meant to be one of his strengths 🙂

Edited Saturday at 15:42 by saintant

[Appy]

1 minute ago, egg said:

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

To be fair, I’m not sure any system suits this group of players. 

[beatlesaint]

1 minute ago, egg said:

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

What system suits Fraser, Armstrong, Manning, Bree,Stephens and Archer out of interest?

[OldNick]

1 minute ago, LGTL said:

Pompey is September 14th. It’s a frankly ridiculous state of affairs yet completely unsurprising given the history of SR. 

Its hard to plan all the clubs strategy around playing that lot. I feel that Spors and Still etc do realise we need players but as been mentioned time and again we have to wait for clubs to get their replcements in place before they will let s have or players, we are down the pecking order and the players we want will want to see if there is a better option than us.Its crap but realistic

[Appy]

Bree injured? Every cloud and all that. 

[tdmickey3]

Just now, Appy said:

To be fair, I’m not sure any system suits this group of players. 

The not playing way is the best for a lot of them 

[Katalinic]

2 minutes ago, egg said:

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

I don't think a style exists that suits so many dross players.

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Is your position on it changing?

What are you talking about? My position has been and remains that we will strengthen significantly before the window closes. That doesn't mean I wouldn't have rather we got some of those players in earlier. 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

According to Saints Instagram, we're winning 1-0...is that correct?

[egg]

Just now, saintant said:

I thought that was meant to be on of his strengths 🙂

Yep. And adaptability. The squad is surely a 352 squad. Sugar and Welly as wingbacks. Downs and Archer through the middle. 

[Katalinic]

1 minute ago, beatlesaint said:

What system suits Fraser, Armstrong, Manning, Bree,Stephens and Archer out of interest?

The transfer list system ideally

[tdmickey3]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

What are you talking about? My position has been and remains that we will strengthen significantly before the window closes. That doesn't mean I wouldn't have rather we got some of those players in earlier. 

Mmmmmmm, I don’t think you are as convinced as you were

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Just now, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

According to Saints Instagram, we're winning 1-0...is that correct?

They've just edited it and made me look like a right mug.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, OldNick said:

Its hard to plan all the clubs strategy around playing that lot. I feel that Spors and Still etc do realise we need players but as been mentioned time and again we have to wait for clubs to get their replcements in place before they will let s have or players, we are down the pecking order and the players we want will want to see if there is a better option than us.Its crap but realistic

That's us every year yet other clubs seem to plan, prepare and do everything better than we do.

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, egg said:

As much as I don't want to judge Still yet, it'd help if he played a system that suits his players. 

It’s a pointless fixture as well, if L1 and L2 hadn’t have been starting a week earlier, playing Cardiff, Luton or Peterborough would’ve been a better idea. Should have been more of those sort of games in pre-season more suited to our worst squad for 15 years.

[OttawaSaint]

SR have got very little right since they took over. They stuck with Ralph when he was clearly burned out and then when they axed him the club were still atttactive to top managers but they utterly fucked up with Jones. 

Now we're on a fast track to becoming another Stoke or Coventry.