Saints 2-1 Wrexham - Match Thread

[Roo1976]

20 hours ago, The Realist said:

my thoughts on the game:-

we were too slow in the first half.

Wrexham have bought well - good experience but will finish mid table. 

Edwards was taught a lesson by Moore but why was he not helped out by the other 2 CB's?

The front line didn't work.

Player scores:-

Baz: 9.  Excellent save. did nothing wrong and made a game saving save.

Suga: 3.  Offered nothing going forward and was poor in defence

Edwards : 2. Had real problems with Moore and gave the penalty away.  Hopefully he learns from this

Cap Jack : 8. Great sliding tackle, great last minute goal but was also part of a pretty poor defence.

Quarshie: 5. 1st touch is poor and looks a fish out of sea when he brings the ball forward. Raw talent atm

Wellington : 3.  Just don't rate the guy.  Manning a better option

Downes : 6. Good game for little pre-season. Good partnership with Charles

Charles : 7. Looked really classy in the first half but drifted out of the game a bit in the 2nd.

Robinson : 6. Looked good in the first half but drifted out of the game a bit in the 2nd. 

Armstrong : 5. Tried hard but just not his game. Should playon the right

Fraser : 5. Tried his best, not enough good crosses into the box but versatility useful later on

SUBS: 

Manning : 10. MOTM. Went forward, got so many crosses in and was the catalyst for the win with that great free-kick

Fernandes : 5. Didn't really change the game much

Stewart/Archer/Downs: 4. barely touched the ball.

My thoughts on the game why cant we do stripes on both sides of the shirt it looks horrible..............good win wrexham should have been 3 up before we moved the ball better,didnt think it was going to happen ,but happy it did, btw Downes should have scored that goal before it fell to Stephens.....

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

20 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Nonsense. A push to the strongest man in the world can put them off balance and make them unable to do what they want.

You have unrealistic expectations of human anatomy and physics if you think pushing someone off balance like this wouldn't impact their ability to score. Especially if they are unaware it is coming.

 

 

Not sure about Downs. While Stewart seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer, Downs seems a lightweight. Yes he might have been pushed but a more determined person would have still got a foot on that ball. And a few minutes before, Stewart lobbed one up which Downs could have tried to header but he saw the keeper coming and ducked out of the header. 

[lambtiss]

55 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Not sure about Downs. While Stewart seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer, Downs seems a lightweight. Yes he might have been pushed but a more determined person would have still got a foot on that ball. And a few minutes before, Stewart lobbed one up which Downs could have tried to header but he saw the keeper coming and ducked out of the header. 

You're right, I was disappointed that a number 9 ducked that, especially as it was an almost certain goal if he got there. Big Ron would never have ducked that ....

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Roo1976 said:

My thoughts on the game why cant we do stripes on both sides of the shirt it looks horrible..............good win wrexham should have been 3 up before we moved the ball better,didnt think it was going to happen ,but happy it did, btw Downes should have scored that goal before it fell to Stephens.....

We could have been two up before they threatened our goal - Fraser had a decent chance very early on that he just failed to curl into the bottom corner and Robinson had a shot that Ward just about managed to keep out. You can't only look at their chances and ignore our own.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Not sure about Downs. While Stewart seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer, Downs seems a lightweight. Yes he might have been pushed but a more determined person would have still got a foot on that ball. And a few minutes before, Stewart lobbed one up which Downs could have tried to header but he saw the keeper coming and ducked out of the header. 

Well none of us are sure about Downs - he had about 15-20 minutes on the pitch in his Championship debut so shame he didn't rattle in a quickfire hattrick. 

[64saint]

When one of the headlines said about a Hollywood finish was I the only one thinking 'Dennis', 🙄🤔. or am I showing my age !!!!

[Saint Billy]

2 minutes ago, 64saint said:

When one of the headlines said about a Hollywood finish was I the only one thinking 'Dennis', 🙄🤔. or am I showing my age !!!!

Unfortunately I understood what you were thinking. 😭

[64saint]

17 minutes ago, Saint Billy said:

Unfortunately I understood what you were thinking. 😭

🤣

[spyinthesky]

On 10/08/2025 at 00:12, Matthew Le God said:

BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore commentary

Wrexham commentary

 

No mention of the two penalty shouts for Saints or the dreadful tackle on Fraser by McClean and then a push on Fernandes.

[OldNick]

On 09/08/2025 at 13:20, tdmickey3 said:

Get Shoehorn and Armstrong off

This aged well lol

[OldNick]

On 09/08/2025 at 13:55, Saint86 said:

Really poor from the home fans again, does have to be said.

When the new CB is trying to rile up the home fans first game of the season, you know it's bad.

Perhaps if you went to the game you may well have been able to whip us up. Im reading the match thread and its interesting to see how few on here actually go to the game.

 

[tdmickey3]

32 minutes ago, OldNick said:

This aged well lol

It was applicable at the time unless you think Armstrong was good.

Also my opinion of Stephens in first half was valid he was doing very little

[rallyboy]

Having suffered an abysmal season of horror at SMS, I have to admit that Saturday's edge-of-your-seat late turnaround victory against a thoroughly-dislikable Wrexham side who brought their own ref, was still no fun at all.

They could have been five goals up before we had a shot, then I was saddened when prolific diver Moore was injured by a block tackle, I was disappointed when Manning came on, and it was clear that the better side lost.

Yes, technically we got three points, but the silence of the home crowd told the real story, we're papering over the cracks of a relegation battle, I found the whole escapade depressing and as it's clearly just the start of another season of crushing misery that will be worse than the last, it's very difficult to enjoy anything.

Though the grass looked nice - until they watered it. 😡 

#doomandgloom

[OldNick]

11 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

Having suffered an abysmal season of horror at SMS, I have to admit that Saturday's edge-of-your-seat late turnaround victory against a thoroughly-dislikable Wrexham side who brought their own ref, was still no fun at all.

They could have been five goals up before we had a shot, then I was saddened when prolific diver Moore was injured by a block tackle, I was disappointed when Manning came on, and it was clear that the better side lost.

Yes, technically we got three points, but the silence of the home crowd told the real story, we're papering over the cracks of a relegation battle, I found the whole escapade depressing and as it's clearly just the start of another season of crushing misery that will be worse than the last, it's very difficult to enjoy anything.

Though the grass looked nice - until they watered it. 😡 

#doomandgloom

the match thread never fails to amuse.

[Charlie Wayman]

6 hours ago, Roo1976 said:

My thoughts on the game why cant we do stripes on both sides of the shirt it looks horrible..............good win wrexham should have been 3 up before we moved the ball better,didnt think it was going to happen ,but happy it did, btw Downes should have scored that goal before it fell to Stephens.....

I disagree. Initially based on the pics on the OS website I hated the new design but having seen it in action on Satrurday changed my mind completely. It looks great.

[sandwichsaint]

Tough watch, for 60 mins we were all wind and no solids, which tbf was widely expected. One of our better players during that period definitely shouldn't be anywhere near the team. 

Subs shook it up, Fernandes got us playing, we actually looked fit and up for it. Wrexham were very limited and tired badly. LN Drogba made a great difference, we looked a lot better with a CF on the pitch.

Great goal from another one that shouldn't be anywhere near the fist team, after a match-winning save from a keeper that shouldn't be anywhere near the team, to be followed by a glorious winner from this season's scapegoat who also shouldn't be anywhere near the team.

Quarshie very raw but hopefully comes good

Baz keep that up please

Drogba needs to start

Sugawara sooo disapointing

Back three needs a lot of drilling if we are to persist with it

Think we should go 4-4-2 (4-4-1-1) at Ipswich

COYRs

 

Edited Monday at 13:24 by sandwichsaint

[tdmickey3]

9 minutes ago, OldNick said:

the match thread never fails to amuse.

Why?

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, tdmickey3 said:

Why?

The knee jerk reaction, and absolute nonsense sometimes thats spouted is so mad its amusing. 

There are some posters I respect for their run down or judgement others are clearly unhinged/entitled.

 

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Charlie Wayman said:

I disagree. Initially based on the pics on the OS website I hated the new design but having seen it in action on Satrurday changed my mind completely. It looks great.

The queue to get in the club shop before the game was long and just as long post match. I assume shirts were selling well

[tdmickey3]

Just now, OldNick said:

The knee jerk reaction, and absolute nonsense sometimes thats spouted is so mad its amusing. 

There are some posters I respect for their run down or judgement others are clearly unhinged/entitled.

 

Always easy to say after the event, I doubt those you don`t respect are bothered about your endorsement TBH

[OldNick]

11 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Always easy to say after the event, I doubt those you don`t respect are bothered about your endorsement TBH

After the event!! Its every game. I totally agree about my endorsement, it means nothing but the comments of some buffoons does make me laugh. Keep posting 

[davefizzy14]

Excellent win on the opening day of the season, we deserved that 😊

Bazunu's save was world class, kept us in the game 😊

Manning's free kick was stunning and he was so good when he came on in the second half and played a big part in Jack's goal 😊

Absolutely delighted for Jack to get the winner, was some finish from a really tight angle 😊 he's such a leader and presence around the dressing room. He was great on Saturday 😊

Good game plan and use of subs from Will Still which helped us get the win 😊 

Onto Tuesday in the cup - COYR 😊

[SWLondon Saint]

On 09/08/2025 at 19:06, Matthew Le God said:

 

Just watched the whole of this, and it's completely unacceptable - not a single mention of 'Being Braver', 'Trust the Process' or 'Playing our way'???

Actually giving answers like 'Too static across the front 3' or 'Need to play more skip passes and be more fluid with our passing' is never gonna catch on. Games gone.

[CheshireSaint]

2 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

I disagree. Initially based on the pics on the OS website I hated the new design but having seen it in action on Satrurday changed my mind completely. It looks great.

Nah. Too much white. We are red and white, not white and red. When you get a meat and potato pie, you expect more meat to potato ratio.

[trousers]

 

 

Edited Monday at 19:01 by trousers

[Matthew Le God]

The Wrexham version of the video @trousers posted above

 

[tdmickey3]

4 hours ago, OldNick said:

After the event!! Its every game. I totally agree about my endorsement, it means nothing but the comments of some buffoons does make me laugh. Keep posting 

Was there anything last season to be all happy clapping like you?

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

 

 

Thanks for this.

Was it really only two days ago?

[West end Saints]

What does WS stay when he first sits down?

[suewhistle]

5 hours ago, SWLondon Saint said:

Just watched the whole of this, and it's completely unacceptable - not a single mention of 'Being Braver', 'Trust the Process' or 'Playing our way'???

You could always go and watch the Rangers post match interviews..

[Saint_clark]

8 hours ago, West end Saints said:

What does WS stay when he first sits down?

"Cor, that's better. Been on me feet all day"? 

[Kingsland Codger]

Visiting grandchildren meant I was unable to attend the match on Saturday. I managed to take a quick look at the score at half-time (disappointment) and again in the 88th minute (despair). then another check about 20 minutes later (ecstasy)

A song from the 1960s spring to mind - Bringing On Back The Good Times by the Love Affair. The chorus goes ...

Bringing on back the good times,
taking away the pain.
You're bringing on back the good times
and I'm living on air,
So glad that you're there,
sweeping away the sad times,
making me laugh again

You're bringing on back the good times
And you started me living
Now I'm loving again

Bringing On Back The Good Times

And, yes, London really was like that 60 years ago with so little traffic and such few people.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Watching the video there’s some excellent man-management in there. 👏🏻

Edited Tuesday at 07:14 by Willo of Whiteley

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Kingsland Codger said:

Visiting grandchildren meant I was unable to attend the match on Saturday. I managed to take a quick look at the score at half-time (disappointment) and again in the 88th minute (despair). then another check about 20 minutes later (ecstasy)

A song from the 1960s spring to mind - Bringing On Back The Good Times by the Love Affair. The chorus goes ...

Bringing on back the good times,
taking away the pain.
You're bringing on back the good times
and I'm living on air,
So glad that you're there,
sweeping away the sad times,
making me laugh again

You're bringing on back the good times
And you started me living
Now I'm loving again

Bringing On Back The Good Times

And, yes, London really was like that 60 years ago with so little traffic and such few people.

When I was a kid we used to play football in the street and got really annoyed if a car ever came along. The house didn't have gardens but the streets were where we all played together. Back in the says when streets were playgrounds for kids and not racetracks for cars.

[OldNick]

14 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

Was there anything last season to be all happy clapping like you?

I dont feel I was a happy clappy, even the Samaritans put the phone down on me when I called about it

[Jimmy_D]

Looking back at the highlights again, this match was a perfect argument for both sides of the VAR debate.

We were on the wrong side of two howlers for penalties.

On the flip side, imagine the winning goal delayed for five minutes while they checked every single camera angle for if Manning touched the ball with his arm or if there was a toenail offside.

[OldNick]

Ive watched the last 15 minutes a few times (so sad) and noticed Ross Stewarts influence, winning the ball in the air andhis strength. Hopeful he can get a run of games

[suewhistle]

On 11/08/2025 at 12:15, 64saint said:

When one of the headlines said about a Hollywood finish was I the only one thinking 'Dennis', 🙄🤔. or am I showing my age !!!!

Yes, I seem to recall Dennis Hollywood's tackles finishing off quite a few players, again showing my age..

[warsash saint]

Wrexham's equivalent of TSP - a fair assessment i thought.

[Saint86]

Just watching Wrexham's pens Vs hull.... Let's not play Wrexham in any penalty shoot outs this season 😅

[yoshida4]

(will)still high from Saturday's winner, I wrote a love letter to Jack Stephens. 

https://thecink.substack.com/p/jack-in-the-box?r=9hfy8

Its highly serious

(in all seriousness) it does mention quite a lovely moment where Jack was pushing Gav to receive some appreciation from the fans. Baz excellent Sat - continuing where he left pre-season.