Saints 2-1 Wrexham - Match Thread

[Charlie Wayman]

I doubt Still knows his best XI yet so is likely to get team selection wrong at the start;  we might be all at sea as we were against Brighton early on. Wrexham are clearly on a mission and will be buoyed by their recent success and the publicity bubble that they are enjoying.

They seem to be unstoppable at the moment so I can see us losing the first half 0-2. If Still can recover the team formation with subs hopefully we will mount a comeback of sorts but I am not optimistic we will have enough to get a result.

1-2 to Wrexham

[CSA96]

How do they seem to be unstoppable at the moment? Their last three games they've lost to Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix and FC Groningen 

I think we a more likely to benefit from playing them early before they finish their transfer business and get their new faces settled in and used to playing together, if anything

Edited Tuesday at 10:39 by CSA96

[saintant]

12 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

How do they seem to be unstoppable at the moment? Their last three games they've lost to Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix and FC Groningen 

I think we a more likely to benefit from playing them early before they finish their transfer business and get their new faces settled in and used to playing together, if anything

Depends whether you think their eventual settled side will be better than ours I guess as we currently have upheaval of our own to deal with. 

[CSA96]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Depends whether you think their eventual settled side will be better than ours I guess as we currently have upheaval of our own to deal with. 

Our start point is undeniably higher than theirs, we're coming down with a bad PL squad but a good CH one, they are coming up with a good L1 squad. Even with upheaval on both ends, we should be the better side

(yes I know... should is a dangerous word!)

[saintant]

1 minute ago, CSA96 said:

Our start point is undeniably higher than theirs, we're coming down with a bad PL squad but a good CH one, they are coming up with a good L1 squad. Even with upheaval on both ends, we should be the better side

(yes I know... should is a dangerous word!)

We'll find out on Saturday I guess.

[sockeye]

Frankly I think we’ll trounce them. They aren’t really anything special in this league in neither squad or manager. I still expect us to be a bit lethargic and shaky throughout but a couple of flashes will win us the game.

[Roger]

Flynn and Fernandez both training today. 

[Saint Matty 76]

If Downes and Fernandes are back in training, we may as well make use of the latter whilst he's here (such as JWP v Sheff Weds).

Bazunu
Edwards - Stephens - Quarshie - Welington
Downes - Charles
Armstrong - Fernandes - Archer
Downs

That'd be my guess. Although wouldn't be at all surprised to see Bree in for Edwards and Fernandes back next to Charles with Fraser in at 10 (🤮) if Downes isn't quite ready. I'd also love us to just give Robinson the start, but would understand the logic behind him being an impact sub to begin with.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

I’ve never been a fan of us playing 3/5 at the back but if we want to get the best out of our best full backs (Sugawara and Welington) I feel like we might need to play them as attacking wing backs. That formation also allows for Edwards to play and allows Charles to get forward more.  
 

If Fernandes doesn’t play, maybe something like:

Bazunu; Sugawara, Edwards, Stephens, Quarshie, Welington; Charles, Downes, Robinson, Downs, AA

 

Obviously, against Wrexham at home you’d want it to be much more of a back 3 than a 5. 
 

 

[gio1saints]

My best team so far plays 3CB with two aggressively attacking wingbacks a double six, our new striker, our best old striker and our boy wonder: 

                       Bazunu 

         Ronnie.  Stephens.  Quarshie.

Sugawara.                                Welington

                    Sesay.    Charles

         Armstrong   Downs   Robinson 

Subs : Alex, Wood, Manning, Bree, Fraser, Archer, Stewart, & any two not tactically or genuinely injured/ being protected. 

 

If starts I’m putting ££ on Sugawara / Downs to score! 

Edited Tuesday at 14:35 by gio1saints

[CSA96]

THB, Downes, Fernandes, Smallbone and BBD all now in full training, as per footage on Saints app 

Edited Tuesday at 14:34 by CSA96

[Roger]

22 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

My best team so far plays 3CB with two aggressively attacking wingbacks a double six, our new striker, our best old striker and our boy wonder: 

                       Bazunu 

         Ronnie.  Stephens.  Quarshie.

Sugawara.                                Welington

                    Sesay.    Charles

         Armstrong   Downs   Robinson 

Subs : Alex, Wood, Manning, Bree, Fraser, Archer, Stewart, & any two not tactically or genuinely injured/ being protected. 

 

If starts I’m putting ££ on Sugawara / Downs to score! 

Fernandes and downes will play 

[gio1saints]

14 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

THB, Downes, Fernandes, Smallbone and BBD all now in full training, as per footage on Saints app 

Interesting if Will starts any of those.

I really liked the shape we finished the Brighton match with. IF that’s going to be our default shape (3cb’s plus 2wing backs plus 2 sixes,)  then the only improvement I can see is in changing the front three around - because all the others seem effective in those roles. A front two with a new recruit  #10 is something they may have in mind ..

[Charlie Wayman]

3 hours ago, gio1saints said:

My best team so far plays 3CB with two aggressively attacking wingbacks a double six, our new striker, our best old striker and our boy wonder: 

                       Bazunu 

         Ronnie.  Stephens.  Quarshie.

Sugawara.                                Welington

                    Sesay.    Charles

         Armstrong   Downs   Robinson 

Subs : Alex, Wood, Manning, Bree, Fraser, Archer, Stewart, & any two not tactically or genuinely injured/ being protected. 

 

If starts I’m putting ££ on Sugawara / Downs to score! 

I like your team. Surely the best way to go.

[Charlie Wayman]

3 hours ago, CSA96 said:

THB, Downes, Fernandes, Smallbone and BBD all now in full training, as per footage on Saints app 

Great news but none of them will be any where near match fit for Saturday so don't expect to see any of them on the pitch.

[Matthew Le God]

54 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Great news but none of them will be any where near match fit for Saturday so don't expect to see any of them on the pitch.

Why wouldn't Fernandes be fit enough? He had 3 or so days off for illness and then training for a week before the game?

I'd also not rule out the other bar Harwood-Bellis, especially as we don't know the full details of their injuries/recoveries.

Edited Tuesday at 19:17 by Matthew Le God

[Pamplemousse]

If Downes isn't 100% then no point in risking him, we'll need him in the Ipswich game more than this one.

[Pamplemousse]

We've got a good omen in the referee - James Bell - 4 times he refereed us two seasons ago in the Champ and we won all 4 games.

[Tommy Mulgrew]

Wrexham sign an eighth striker:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy3jpgg9g3o

And I thought we had too many!

[Ex Lion Tamer]

4 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Wrexham sign an eighth striker:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy3jpgg9g3o

And I thought we had too many!

And yet none of them are really prolific at this level. I think they may struggle to break our defence down, especially if we go three at the back

[SaintTex]

6 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Wrexham sign an eighth striker:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy3jpgg9g3o

And I thought we had too many!

geriatric strike force

• Jay Rodriguez 36
• Ollie Palmer 33
• Kieffer Moore 32
• Ryan Hardie 28
• Sam Smith 27

 

[SW11_Saint]

2 hours ago, SaintTex said:

geriatric strike force

• Jay Rodriguez 36
• Ollie Palmer 33
• Kieffer Moore 32
• Ryan Hardie 28
• Sam Smith 27

 

Still more than capable of doing damage to us!

[SW11_Saint]

2 hours ago, SaintTex said:

geriatric strike force

• Jay Rodriguez 36
• Ollie Palmer 33
• Kieffer Moore 32
• Ryan Hardie 28
• Sam Smith 27

 

Guess they’re not signing Danny Ings then. Not sure he has a new club yet? Surprised Burnley haven’t gone back for him… 

[SotonianWill]

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Still more than capable of doing damage to us!

Hearing Sam Smith might come out in his devil costume after hearing he’s playing the saints. 

[trousers]

3 hours ago, SaintTex said:

geriatric strike force

• Jay Rodriguez 36
• Ollie Palmer 33
• Kieffer Moore 32
• Ryan Hardie 28
• Sam Smith 27

 

Inevitable that Jay Rod will score 

#saintsy

[Saint_lambden]

18 minutes ago, trousers said:

Inevitable that Jay Rod will score 

#saintsy

He's injured so won't be playing at the weekend

[trousers]

9 minutes ago, Saint_lambden said:

He's injured so won't be playing at the weekend

Ah...phew! 

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Ah...phew! 

Fear not. Watch Jack Stephens leave Kieffer Moore completely unmarked to score right in the middle of the goal

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fear not. Watch Jack Stephens leave Kieffer Moore completely unmarked to score right in the middle of the goal

Ah... bugger!

[LiberalCommunist]

Glad this is an early kick off. This will be a lovely start to life back in the greatest league in the world. 

Wrexham will battle, but ultimately leave with nothing. 

Football is back. UTS

[Pamplemousse]

The players they've signed are decent at this level but nothing more. There's a reason why Windass, Hardie, O'Brien were playing for lower-half Championship clubs.

Coady and Moore are smart signings as that does give them a bit of experience but tbh I think they should be looking at younger players.

They'll test us and ultimately they have absolutely nothing to lose, but we should have too much for them, and if we do struggle, we have options off the bench. That's why I wouldn't start Robinson as I feel he'd have bigger impact off the bench. Archer and Armstrong can run around and tire their defence out for him. 

[LeBizzier69]

3 hours ago, SotonianWill said:

Hearing Sam Smith might come out in their devil costume after hearing they're playing the saints. 

Corrected for you - assuming it's the Sam Smith i'm thinking of!

[revolution saint]

20 hours ago, gio1saints said:

My best team so far plays 3CB with two aggressively attacking wingbacks a double six, our new striker, our best old striker and our boy wonder: 

                       Bazunu 

         Ronnie.  Stephens.  Quarshie.

Sugawara.                                Welington

                    Sesay.    Charles

         Armstrong   Downs   Robinson 

Subs : Alex, Wood, Manning, Bree, Fraser, Archer, Stewart, & any two not tactically or genuinely injured/ being protected. 

 

If starts I’m putting ££ on Sugawara / Downs to score! 

The formation is going to be a good insight into what sort of approach Still takes.  Everything we've read so far is that he's predominantly pragmatic and given that we don't have many genuine wingers then, if he wants width, he'd be better off with wingbacks.

I reckon Stewart will start over Downs though.

Edited Wednesday at 11:25 by revolution saint

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, revolution saint said:

The formation is going to be a good insight into what sort of approach Still takes.  Everything we've read so far is that he's predominantly pragmatic and given that we don't have many genuine wingers then, if he wants width, then he'd be better off with wingbacks.

I reckon Stewart will start over Downs though.

I reckon Archer will start over Stewart and Downs

[franniesTache]

Hopefully the club realise points on the board is the most important thing and we play players who might leave anyway. Last time round our start screwed us and we basically had to spend the rest of the season playing catch up.

[Whitey Grandad]

4 hours ago, Saint_lambden said:

He's injured so won't be playing at the weekend

Sounds familiar. 

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, franniesTache said:

Hopefully the club realise points on the board is the most important thing and we play players who might leave anyway. Last time round our start screwed us and we basically had to spend the rest of the season playing catch up.

Ward-Prowse and Tella played games for us in August 2023 before the window shut.

August 2023 - Played 4, won 3, drew 1 and lost 0, Points 10 out of 12

It was after the window shut that we had the 4 defeats in a row.

[franniesTache]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Ward-Prowse and Tella played games for us in August 2023 before the window shut.

August 2023 - Played 4, won 3, drew 1 and lost 0, Points 10 out of 12

It was after the window shut that we had the 4 defeats in a row.

So you're agreeing our start screwed us cheers.

[Dark Munster]

10 hours ago, SaintTex said:

geriatric strike force

• Jay Rodriguez 36
• Ollie Palmer 33
• Kieffer Moore 32
• Ryan Hardie 28
• Sam Smith 27

 

I wish I was only as geriatric as them. 

[VectisSaint]

On 04/08/2025 at 17:01, BarryVenisonsHair said:

Well, my 4 year old who will be attending his first game on Saturday believes Saints will score 10 goals. Unsure whether thats a victory or a 10-11 loss...

5-5, Stephens 5 own goals

[ErwinK1961]

.

Edited Wednesday at 15:04 by ErwinK1961
Point Already been made

[skintsaint]

19 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Wrexham sign an eighth striker:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwy3jpgg9g3o

And I thought we had too many!

33 year old (in a couple of days) for £2m on a 3 year deal. Nice for Moore fo' sure.

[Lighthouse]

7 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

33 year old (in a couple of days) for £2m on a 3 year deal. Nice for Moore fo' sure.

I believe his contract also entitles him to a quartet of Uruk Hai prostitutes. That's four more Mordor whores for Moore.

[chivvy]

Both team to score bet and 3-1 to saints. 

[BarryVenisonsHair]

5 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

5-5, Stephens 5 own goals

That doesn't actually feel like it's outside the realms of possibility 

[SfcPhil]

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet, but can see us scoring 2 or 3. We also could keep a clean sheet and not score, or only score one. If we lost 2-0 it wouldn't surprise me anymore than winning 3-0.

I literally have no idea what to expect on Saturday, but the second half of the Brighton game has given me hope.

It would be nice to match our one home league victory from last season in the first game though.

[Football Special]

51 minutes ago, BarryVenisonsHair said:

That doesn't actually feel like it's outside the realms of possibility 

Get yourself down the bookies and double it with Stephens Red card , possibly for an altercation with James McClean, let's show them we mean business early on 

[Football Special]

23 minutes ago, SfcPhil said:

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet, but can see us scoring 2 or 3. We also could keep a clean sheet and not score, or only score one. If we lost 2-0 it wouldn't surprise me anymore than winning 3-0.

I literally have no idea what to expect on Saturday, but the second half of the Brighton game has given me hope.

It would be nice to match our one home league victory from last season in the first game though.

The games I have seen pre-season we've generally looked slow getting the ball forward and attacking with real purpose so I wouldn't be entirely surprised with a 0-0 

[Saint_lambden]

---------------------Bazunu---------------

---Edwards--------Stephens----Quarshie---

-Sugawara--Downes--Charles-------Welli-

--------------Fernandes--Armstrong-------

--------------------Archer-------------------

Is what I would expect, but if we go 4-2-3-1 then Robinson must be included. 

Edited Wednesday at 22:30 by Saint_lambden

[Saintsarmy]

2 minutes ago, Saint_lambden said:

---------------------Bazunu---------------

---Edwards--------Stephens----Quarshie---

-Sugawara--Downes-Fernandes-Charles--Welli-

---------------Fraser---Armstrong-------

--------------------Archer-------------------

Is what I would expect, but if we go 4-2-3-1 then Robinson must be included. 

They changed the rule for the amount of players you’re allowed this year? Hope so!