Saints 2-1 Wrexham - Match Thread

[tdmickey3]

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Excitement building??

[Convict Colony]

In Wrexham yes

Edited August 2 by Convict Colony

[SNSUN]

Difficult to pick half the line up. You'd think Baz starts as number 1, Stephens will partner Quarshie and Charles starts in central midfield. Sugawara and Wellington should be the full backs. AA will probably start, Archer and Downs likewise although I'm not entirely sure how you get them all into the same side without playing one of them out of position. Robinson should start.

 

Something like this? Essentially we're light in CM and AM. Am I excited? Not yet but I probably will be on the day.

 

[Turkish]

Wrexhams biggest league game ever so a huge occasion for them. It’ll be interesting to see how they cope with the occasion which will be like a cup final for them. 
 

in sure their players and fans will be very excited about this so maybe rhe occasion will get to them. 

[hypochondriac]

First big test for will is starting lineup. If fit and assuming he picks Stephens and Dibling and Fernandes are off surely the team has to be 

Bazunu 

Sugawara Quarshie Stephens Wellington 

Downes/Sesay Charles 

Armstrong Robinson 

Archer Downs 

Edited August 2 by hypochondriac

[hypochondriac]

14 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Difficult to pick half the line up. You'd think Baz starts as number 1, Stephens will partner Quarshie and Charles starts in central midfield. Sugawara and Wellington should be the full backs. AA will probably start, Archer and Downs likewise although I'm not entirely sure how you get them all into the same side without playing one of them out of position. Robinson should start.

 

Something like this? Essentially we're light in CM and AM. Am I excited? Not yet but I probably will be on the day.

 

I think most fans are pretty much agreed on that lineup now. 

[sockeye]

The script for the documentary is going to be a humbling loss for them to hammer home Wrexham are in the big leagues now, so let's make sure we've learnt our lines.

[Lighthouse]

Oscars won:

Titanic - 11

Deadpool - 0

[Harry_SFC]

Bazunu; Welington, Quarshie, Edwards, Sugawara, Downes/Sesay, Charles, Armstrong, Robinson, Archer, Downs.

Obviously Fernandes plays if he's available.

Edited August 2 by Harry_SFC

[Willo of Whiteley]

Two months ago I was very excited for the new season, but now it’s come around I can see this being the first of many defeats.

I think the first month or two will be reminiscent of two years ago, a slow, bumpy and inconsistent start.

It’s so difficult to gauge what kind of team will play, there’s been a lot of chopping and changing through pre-season.

Some things that look a certainty: Adam Armstrong and Jay Robinson I think are a shoe-in to start, both have had decent pre-seasons. 
As for the likes of Dibling and Fernandes, they could easily be on the bench for the first few games.

Wrexham will come here to win, and I think they’ll put up a very good fight. Some of the signings are glamour signings for a club of their stature, and that will buoy them.

I think it’ll be a scrappy 1-1.

[Smirking_Saint]

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

Looks good to me

[Harry_SFC]

9 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

I agree - don't really like 5 at the back but it kinda suits.

Edited August 2 by Harry_SFC

[die Mannyschaft]

The whole season is going to be about Wrexham so with out points tally last season it should put the spotlight on the away team and away from Saints. Dibling and Fernandes won't be in team and likely to be gone anytime soon so that's another reason why its nonsense to have Saints 2nd fav for title. Not sure what championship teams are like in terms of quality but Wrexham will be a good marker.

[Saint_lambden]

27 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

Yep, given our lack of wide men then we're relying on the width of the full-backs. Look totally devoid of any creativity otherwise. 

[ErwinK1961]

40 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Looks good to me

Haven’t you historically complained (correctly btw) that a 5-2-3 formation means we get overrun in midfield?

[AlexLaw76]

5 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Haven’t you historically complained (correctly btw) that a 5-2-3 formation means we get overrun in midfield?

Yes, but we have a better group of players compared to about 20 other sides, including Wrexham.

with a proper manager, which we have, we should be good enough.

Premier league. Not a chance 

[ErwinK1961]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Yes, but we have a better group of players compared to about 20 other sides, including Wrexham.

with a proper manager, which we have, we should be good enough.

Premier league. Not a chance 

Fair, it does seem suit the current crop.. I just can’t get past the fact we’ve played crap 90% of the time when playing 5 at the back.

Edited August 2 by ErwinK1961

[StrangelyBrown]

1 hour ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Fair, it does seem suit the current crop.. I just can’t get passed the fact we’ve played crap 90% of the time when playing 5 at the back.

I remember reading analysis about 5 at the back when Conte was at Chelsea and the really key thing is having intelligent players at CB who know when to step up into midfield and how to mark effectively when there is one or more men spare. This for me is our downfall - we've relied on players like THB, Stephens and bednarek to be those intelligent players.... Hopefully Edwards and Quarshie have a bit more about them.

[Pamplemousse]

They've done a lot of travelling, a pre-season in Australia and New Zealand and they were in the Netherlands today

Looks like weather wise it will be 20 odd degrees, maybe warmer, if it's hotter our warm weather training in the heat of Spain compared to the winter down under they experienced might benefit us.

We should have enough quality really. I'd be disappointed if we don't win.

2-0 Saints.

[IFHP]

Saints 0 Wrexham 2. 
 

 

[musesaint]

This has an opening game fcuk up written all over it. We can then look forward to repeated humiliation in the first episode of the next season of Welcome To Wrexham. 
 

`Apart from that I’m very confident. 

[Fabrice29]

If we start Robinson then presumably he would be subbed off by the 70th minute. Would much rather he was coming on than being subbed off for BBD for example if we need a goal. 

[Matthew Le God]

45 minutes ago, musesaint said:

This has an opening game fcuk up written all over it. We can then look forward to repeated humiliation in the first episode of the next season of Welcome To Wrexham. 

If it was script from Hollywood, given 'Welcome to Wrexham' has covered 3 promotions in the last three series, a more interesting script for the opening to series 5 would be a comfortable Southampton win bringing Wrexham back down to earth, before they improve as the series goes on. Adds more drama than a constant upward trajectory. They need some bumps in the road and warnings of this film contains 'mild peril'.

Edited August 2 by Matthew Le God

[The Kraken]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

If it was script from Hollywood, given 'Welcome to Wrexham' has covered 3 promotions in the last three series, a more interesting script for the opening to series 5 would be a comfortable Southampton win bringing Wexham back down to earth, before they improve as the series goes on. Adds more drama than a constant upward trajectory. 

Wexham?

[Matthew Le God]

7 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Wexham?

Amazing spot, well done! It could possibly be a typo given I used the correct spelling earlier in the post you just quoted. 

Edited August 2 by Matthew Le God

[suewhistle]

10 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Wexham?

Yeah, it's near Slough.

[SNSUN]

1 minute ago, suewhistle said:

Yeah, it's near Slough.

Only the best people are born at Wexham Park Hospital. 

[The Kraken]

17 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Amazing spot, well done! It could possibly be a typo given I used the correct spelling earlier in the post you just quoted. 

I know right, it can be really annoying when people nitpick on the tiniest little mistake that you type. Just imagine doing that all the time!

[Lard]

The run continues from last season. 
another defeat. 
prove me wrong please. 

[Turkish]

They just signed Connor Cody. A good signing tbf. Good experienced player with contacts. Past his best but will be good at championship level

[Turkish]

4 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

If we start Robinson then presumably he would be subbed off by the 70th minute. Would much rather he was coming on than being subbed off for BBD for example if we need a goal. 

Why? Despite Chloe Kelly being the star of the euros I was told I hated women and had no idea what I was talking about for daring to suggest the female managers tactics were spot on for using her as an impact sub, a role if which she was excellent and changed the game on 3 occasions. Do you hate young players Fabrice?

[Convict Colony]

4-0

the unbeaten season commences

[Convict Colony]

6 hours ago, Lard said:

The run continues from last season. 
another defeat. 
prove me wrong please. 

we lost 2-1 at home to arsenal, are you saying wrexham are as good as arsenal

[chownie20]

Surely Downes won't be fit.

You'd hope Matty will be fit and hopefully we get thr Wrexham and Ipswich matches out of him at least.

[Convict Colony]

Still thinks Downes will be training this week and i agree with you on fernandes, i think he will go later in the window.

We should have far too much for wrexham they got dicked 3-1 at Groningen yesterday who are a lower midtable eredevise team here.

[chivvy]

12 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

Quarshie lCB

Edwards rcb

And that's spot on.

[coalman]

8 hours ago, The Kraken said:

Wexham?

 

[M271]

Wrexham is a club that I have interest in coz my wife and family are from there. If you put to one side the media circus of Hollywood they are a solid historic club who have been through a tough few decades. The sheep sha**ging banter is all a bit cringy ( like a lot of chirpy chappy predictable banter) but seems to amuse some supporters.

Anyway I predict a 1 - 1 draw. Really hope Wrexham don’t win to bring a downer and sap momentum to the start of Saints season and also feeding the media frenzy for them.

[coalman]

After a season of bad predictions I have to go with 2-1 to Saints.

[benjii]

13 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

Yep, agree with this if no Fernandes.

 

If he is available then change it to a 433/4231.

[skintsaint]

They have had three defeats on the bounce in preseason. Reckon a comfortable Saints style 3-1 win.

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, skintsaint said:

They have had three defeats on the bounce in preseason. Reckon a comfortable Saints style 3-1 win.

My hope is it is going to take time for their new signings to settle and we could be playing them at a good time, but to be fair we also don't exactly have a settled starting XI well drilled in managers tactics either. 

I'll go for 1-1, these early kick offs often start slowly , I think Wrexham will approach it like a cup tie and sit deep, see if we can break them down, they'll try to hit us on the break. 

Home end sold out, looks like they've also managed to sell out just over 3k as was on general sale but showing no availability now. Loads of our hospitality packages still available,  not at all surprising given the price for a Saturday lunchtime game in a month where corporate sales are always difficult anyway as everyone is off work. 

Edited August 3 by Football Special

[benjii]

1 hour ago, M271 said:

Wrexham is a club that I have interest in coz my wife and family are from there. If you put to one side the media circus of Hollywood they are a solid historic club who have been through a tough few decades. The sheep sha**ging banter is all a bit cringy ( like a lot of chirpy chappy predictable banter) but seems to amuse some supporters.

Anyway I predict a 1 - 1 draw. Really hope Wrexham don’t win to bring a downer and sap momentum to the start of Saints season and also feeding the media frenzy for them.

Your family shag sheep, lol!

[Football Special]

42 minutes ago, benjii said:

Your family shag sheep, lol!

With international football fixtures such as this it would be nice if our fans showed some openess and understanding of other countries culture and traditions rather than mock them 

[saintant]

15 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We looked much more assured and assertive with 5 atb, I know many don’t like the system, even I don’t like the system, but it does allow for a lot of tactical flexibility and Will Still has fallen back on it a lot in France

If we are without Tyler and Fernandes than this makes the most sense for me, if by a miracle they’re both still here than we’ll almost certainly incorporate them in either a 4231 or a 532

Not sure Downes will be fit and, even if he is, he'll be on the bench having had little preseason action.

[Smirking_Saint]

13 minutes ago, saintant said:

Not sure Downes will be fit and, even if he is, he'll be on the bench having had little preseason action.

Likely right, in which case Ill assume its Sesay again

We look light in that area tbh

[John B]

16 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

First big test for will is starting lineup. If fit and assuming he picks Stephens and Dibling and Fernandes are off surely the team has to be 

Bazunu 

Sugawara Quarshie Stephens Wellington 

Downes/Sesay Charles 

Armstrong Robinson 

Archer Downs 

Yes that would be my pick too but I think he may keep a couple back and use them later in the game like he did yesterday.

it is becoming a squad game these days rather than a team one

[John B]

11 hours ago, SNSUN said:

Only the best people are born at Wexham Park Hospital. 

It is likely that Broja was born there as Wiki states Broja was born in Slough, England to Albanian parents

[Gloucester Saint]

21 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Likely right, in which case Ill assume its Sesay again

We look light in that area tbh

Need at least one more central midfielder let alone the 10 and wide areas. Smallbone moving on for a modest fee I reckon, sporadic in pre-season, no sign of a new contract and Saints won’t want him leaving on a free. Good at the central midfield head of a 3-5-2 but if that’s not Still’s system best to move on for all parties.