Ipswich V Saints - Sunday 12pm

[igsey]

It will be interesting to see the team we put and possibly give us an indication for the type of manager Still will be.

It's pretty clear to everyone that 3ATB with two holding midfielders didn't work against Wrexham or Northampton, but in his defence, we probably had one training session between those games, and a boatload of CBs for him to have a look at. Clearly we'd prepared that system for Wrexham with little time to change things.

The main headache I can foresee is that he's kept Stephens as captain, and he's probably our third-best CB - if we go to a back four, who misses out?

[Midfield_General]

5 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Did you miss the pivotal part he played in the move for our goal at Northampton then? He showed good strength to hold off the defender and receive a long ball forward from McCarthy, which he then laid off very nicely to Fernandes. That is the presence up front we've been missing.

I’m not going to slag off everything he’s done as it’s not warranted, and it’s also very early days and like all players he needs to be given time. 

But he hardly laid that off. Yes he backed into the defender, but he didn’t get the ball under control, it hit his knee and bounced to Fernandes, who gave it to to BBD who threaded a decent pass to Archer who set up Fernandes who had carried on running (a run which was as class as his finish btw). There were multiple other instances where he got outmuscled or just fell over. 

Like I say, it’s very early days and Still needs to work with him and I’m sure he will improve. I’m just saying that from what I’ve seen so far he doesn’t warrant a starting place yet. Stewart should start if he’s fit, IMO, and Downs should be introduced off the bench until he looks ready to lead the line. 

Edited Thursday at 13:57 by Midfield_General

[S-Clarke]

38 minutes ago, igsey said:

It will be interesting to see the team we put and possibly give us an indication for the type of manager Still will be.

It's pretty clear to everyone that 3ATB with two holding midfielders didn't work against Wrexham or Northampton, but in his defence, we probably had one training session between those games, and a boatload of CBs for him to have a look at. Clearly we'd prepared that system for Wrexham with little time to change things.

The main headache I can foresee is that he's kept Stephens as captain, and he's probably our third-best CB - if we go to a back four, who misses out?

The issue we have is that he likes width, he wants players hugging the touchline and providing width high up the pitch.

In light of us not having any useable wide attackers, or attacking midfielders in general of that ilk, he's having to push Suguwara and Manning/Wellington into those roles, so as they're more advanced it will require a little more cover at the back and players who can pull back to the full back slots.  That's my take anyway.

He's already said he's flexible and works with what he has, and what we see today isn't the team he see's later on in the season. I think it's a necessary evil due to our lack of actual decent attacking midfield players, and thus will probably continue until we sort that.

Edited Thursday at 14:27 by S-Clarke

[Sheaf Saint]

49 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Archer, not Downs, passed to Fernandes for our goal against the Cobblers.

Archer played the through ball to Fernandes to score, but it was Downs that laid it off to Fernandes earlier in the move. 

[Sheaf Saint]

37 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

I’m not going to slag off everything he’s done as it’s not warranted, and it’s also very early days and like all players he needs to be given time. 

But he hardly laid that off. Yes he backed into the defender, but he didn’t get the ball under control, it hit his knee and bounced to Fernandes, who gave it to to BBD who threaded a decent pass to Archer who set up Fernandes who had carried on running (a run which was as class as his finish btw). There were multiple other instances where he got outmuscled or just fell over. 

Like I say, it’s very early days and Still needs to work with him and I’m sure he will improve. I’m just saying that from what I’ve seen so far he doesn’t warrant a starting place yet. Stewart should start if he’s fit, IMO, and Downs should be introduced off the bench until he looks ready to lead the line. 

Fair enough if that's your view of it. But at least the long ball didn't just come straight back at us, which it would have if we were relying on Armstrong in that position. 

I do agree that on current evidence we would be better off with Stewart playing that role, but I'm not gonna write Downs off just yet. 

[franniesTache]

Last time we came down after the league cup game against Gillingham I said we'd end up in the play offs, i was proven right. That was based on the fact that we didn't seem to know how to win dirty and looked like a side with no cutting edge or idea how to force a result.

This time round at the same stage i think we'll be top two and possibly win the league. That's based on the fact that we're playing badly but finding a way to win. Still seems to be pragmatic and understands the result is more important than the style. I'm also sure we'll come good soon and start looking far more dangerous.

Ipswich is our first big test and they seem out of form at the moment, i think we have a great chance of getting something there and i'm a lot more confident than I was the last time we played them in the Championship.

Which is all weirdly positive for me so obviously we'll lose 3-0 now

Edited Thursday at 14:42 by franniesTache

[saintant]

21 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The issue we have is that he likes width, he wants players hugging the touchline and providing width high up the pitch.

In light of us not having any useable wide attackers, or attacking midfielders in general of that ilk, he's having to push Suguwara and Manning/Wellington into those roles, so as they're more advanced it will require a little more cover at the back and players who can pull back to the full back slots.  That's my take anyway.

He's already said he's flexible and works with what he has, and what we see today isn't the team he see's later on in the season. I think it's a necessary evil due to our lack of actual decent attacking midfield players, and thus will probably continue until we sort that.

I take your point but, from what I've seen in the first two games, we need more numbers in midfield. If it's not rectified I think Ipswich will dominate us on Sunday and it'll be tough to get anything from the match.

[Saint86]

11 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

Last time we came down after the league cup game against Gillingham I said we'd end up in the play offs, i was proven right. That was based on the fact that we didn't seem to know how to win dirty and looked like a side with no cutting edge or idea how to force a result.

This time round at the same stage i think we'll be top two and possibly win the league. That's based on the fact that we're playing badly but finding a way to win. Still seems to be pragmatic and understands the result is more important than the style. I'm also sure we'll come good soon and start looking far more dangerous.

Ipswich is our first big test and they seem out of form at the moment, i think we have a great chance of getting something there and i'm a lot more confident than I was the last time we played them in the Championship.

Which is all weirdly positive for me so obviously we'll lose 3-0 now

I was thinking the same thing yesterday evening funnily enough.... so i guess we either beat Ipswich and the dream is real... Or the fact that all their fans think they'll lose and we think we'll win and get promoted means "same old same old" will set in... and we'll lose (As you say) 😄

Edited Thursday at 14:53 by Saint86

[franniesTache]

13 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I was thinking the same thing yesterday evening funnily enough.... so i guess we either beat Ipswich and the dream is real... Or the fact that all their fans think they'll lose and we think we'll win and get promoted means "same old same old" will set in... and we'll lose (As you say) 😄

Thing is people are talking about us being scrappy, or not creating but i think they're looking at the wrong thing.

Downs looks like what he needs is a goal to start him off and then he'll fly. He's already been in good positions and missed a couple of sitters but he's been in the positions to miss them, which suggests to me when he finds his feet he'll score a fair few.

The big question i have is creativity, if we lose Dibling (which we will) and lose Fernandes (which might happen) we don't really have anyone who can open up the sides parking the bus.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

The issue we have is that he likes width, he wants players hugging the touchline and providing width high up the pitch.

In light of us not having any useable wide attackers, or attacking midfielders in general of that ilk, he's having to push Suguwara and Manning/Wellington into those roles, so as they're more advanced it will require a little more cover at the back and players who can pull back to the full back slots.  That's my take anyway.

He's already said he's flexible and works with what he has, and what we see today isn't the team he see's later on in the season. I think it's a necessary evil due to our lack of actual decent attacking midfield players, and thus will probably continue until we sort that.

Not sure I buy that. He could play Armstrong, Robinson, Fraser as advanced wide players if he wanted. I think he just doesn't fancy a back 4 at the moment.

[The Oggmonster]

-------------GB-------------

YS------THB---JS-------RM

---------FD-----SC---------

---AA--------MF------JR---

-----------DD/RS-----------

Subs: AM, W, JQ, NW,KM, BBD, RF, DD/RS, CA

 

WS's tactical nous will be too much for KM.

 

 

[saintant]

6 minutes ago, The Oggmonster said:

-------------GB-------------

YS------THB---JS-------RM

---------FD-----SC---------

---AA--------MF------JR---

-----------DD/RS-----------

Subs: AM, W, JQ, NW,KM, BBD, RF, DD/RS, CA

 

WS's tactical nous will be too much for KM.

 

 

Wouldn't mind a team something like this. WS will likely opt for a back 5 though.

[Matthew Le God]

9 minutes ago, The Oggmonster said:

-------------GB-------------

YS------THB---JS-------RM

---------FD-----SC---------

---AA--------MF------JR---

-----------DD/RS-----------

Subs: AM, W, JQ, NW,KM, BBD, RF, DD/RS, CA

 

WS's tactical nous will be too much for KM.

Easier/quicker to read if you use the surnames 🥸

Edited Thursday at 15:45 by Matthew Le God

[Harry_SFC]

Personally I would play this side

Bazunu; Sugawara, THB, Quarshie, Manning; Downes, Charles, Fernandes; Robinson, Fraser, Stewart/Downs.

 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

Not sure I buy that. He could play Armstrong, Robinson, Fraser as advanced wide players if he wanted. I think he just doesn't fancy a back 4 at the moment.

 He doesn't seem to want to go for a back 4 but we are being outdone in midfield which is a concern. Yes he has got choices for advanced wide players though I think it's time to leave Armstrong out of the reckoning. Robinson doesn't seem to have much control of the ball, but I like his busy body work rate and Fraser is very versatile.

Somehow, I get the impression the Championship this time around is weaker than two years ago. Ipswich put out their strong team against Bromley so I'm hoping we can come away with a point or three on Sunday.

[SNSUN]

1 hour ago, The Oggmonster said:

-------------GB-------------

YS------THB---JS-------RM

---------FD-----SC---------

---AA--------MF------JR---

-----------DD/RS-----------

Subs: AM, W, JQ, NW,KM, BBD, RF, DD/RS, CA

 

WS's tactical nous will be too much for KM.

 

 

We have Gordon Banks in goal, Jay Rodriguez at LW and Russell Martin at left back. We cannot lose. 

[Saintsfan79]

Worse time to be playing this lot. They need a reaction and will react, we are weak everywhere across the park so unless it's 1-0 or 0-0 with 10mins to play we no chance.

Love a draw but...

Ipswich 3-1 Saints.

[CB Fry]

5 minutes ago, Saintsfan79 said:

Worse time to be playing this lot.

Absolute guarantee that if they'd won their first two matches 3-0 you'd be saying something similar.

Or maybe to be more precise, won their first two matches 2-1 and 1-0. A team that have done that must be good, surely?

[hypochondriac]

Just read that Ipswich haven't won at home since December last year. I reckon we can get something at least. Coyr. 

[Chez]

Midday kick off. All set up for us. Just need to keep pressing them from start  right to the very end. Don't let them get a foothold in the game. 

[trousers]

47 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Just read that Ipswich haven't won at home since December last year. I reckon we can get something at least. Coyr. 

Trouble is, we all know what happens when a team have a hoodoo to break and the mighty Saints are in town...

P.s. when was the last time we won an away league game...?

Edit: vs Ipswich on 1st Feb 2025....

Edited Thursday at 18:41 by trousers

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, SNSUN said:

We have Gordon Banks in goal, Jay Rodriguez at LW and Russell Martin at left back. We cannot lose. 

I’m not convinced by that midfield combo of Fred Dibnah and Scatman Crothers.

[SNSUN]

5 minutes ago, Saintsfan79 said:

Worse time to be playing this lot. They need a reaction and will react, we are weak everywhere across the park so unless it's 1-0 or 0-0 with 10mins to play we no chance.

Love a draw but...

Ipswich 3-1 Saints.

One of those fixtures early in the season where, with the window still open, a big defeat wouldn't be a completely bad thing. Of course a win would be sweeter, but that's a silver lining. Better than a spanking on September 

Although, of course, hopefully Still and SR already know where our weaknesses lie. 

[saintant]

20 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

One of those fixtures early in the season where, with the window still open, a big defeat wouldn't be a completely bad thing. Of course a win would be sweeter, but that's a silver lining. Better than a spanking on September 

Although, of course, hopefully Still and SR already know where our weaknesses lie. 

A big defeat is always a completely bad thing.

[CB Fry]

39 minutes ago, saintant said:

A big defeat is always a completely bad thing.

Never know why anyone says it. Losing 4-0 is not going to prompt the board to suddenly spend £40m that they wouldn't bother spending if we drew one all.

[SNSUN]

48 minutes ago, saintant said:

A big defeat is always a completely bad thing.

Looking at silver linings. Better to be spanked by Ipswich when we have time to realise what the problems are with the squad than spanked by the first team we meet after the window closes... Skates.

Of course, better not to be spanked at all, just looking at silver linings. 😆

FWIW I rate our squad and even if we lose Tyler, Mateus and Taylor I think we still have enough to compete for play offs... autos evrn depending on who we sign. 

[StrangelyBrown]

5 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Personally I would play this side

Bazunu; Sugawara, THB, Quarshie, Manning; Downes, Charles, Fernandes; Robinson, Fraser, Stewart/Downs.

 

I can't see how we could do better with available players at the moment.

[Football Special]

Ipswich set to lose another star performer 

 

[Dark Munster]

5 hours ago, SNSUN said:

Looking at silver linings. Better to be spanked by Ipswich when we have time to realise what the problems are with the squad than spanked by the first team we meet after the window closes... Skates.

Of course, better not to be spanked at all, just looking at silver linings. 😆

FWIW I rate our squad and even if we lose Tyler, Mateus and Taylor I think we still have enough to compete for play offs... autos evrn depending on who we sign. 

Not always. Sometimes a jolly good spanking is required.

[Sheaf Saint]

4 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Not always. Sometimes a jolly good spanking is required.

Getting the nuns out before the match has even kicked off eh?

[AlexLaw76]

12 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Just read that Ipswich haven't won at home since December last year. I reckon we can get something at least. Coyr. 

If we start like we have in the last couple of games, that could change.

 

[hypochondriac]

22 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

If we start like we have in the last couple of games, that could change.

 

If we finish like we have recently we could win! 

[tdmickey3]

14 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Personally I would play this side

Bazunu; Sugawara, THB, Quarshie, Manning; Downes, Charles, Fernandes; Robinson, Fraser, Stewart/Downs.

 

Yep but Stephens will play

[gio1saints]

16 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

 

In light of us not having any useable wide attackers, or attacking midfielders in general of that ilk, he's having to push Suguwara and Manning/Wellington into those roles, so as they're more advanced it will require a little more cover at the back and players who can pull back to the full back slots.  That's my take anyway.

He's already said he's flexible and works with what he has, and what we see today isn't the team he see's later on in the season. I think it's a necessary evil due to our lack of actual decent attacking midfield players, and thus will probably continue until we sort that.

Fully agree with that assessment. He’s playing the players he’s got to - not necessarily his ideal set up.

IF and when we get a player (s) able to play wide in attack and/or even the much touted #10 Spertsyan we may well see changes in his formation. 

 

[Hairlesshero]

17 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Archer, not Downs, passed to Fernandes for our goal against the Cobblers.

Downs gave the good lay-off to BBD who first time passed to Archer. He ran on with the ball and played it to the overlapping Fernandes.

[danjosaint]

46 minutes ago, Hairlesshero said:

Downs gave the good lay-off to BBD who first time passed to Archer. He ran on with the ball and played it to the overlapping Fernandes.

It bounced off downs to bbd 

[BARCELONASAINT]

I think both teams have started the season poorly as far as performances are concerned. We were awful against Wrexham for large parts and looked incapable of creating chances until the changes in the second half. We were absolute garbage against a Northampton side we should have easily beaten. 

I would normally say i don't fancy our chances of getting anything there based on our 2 opening games but Ipswich have been just as bad performance wise and continue to lose players.

We should be taking advantage of their current situation, we certainly have the players on paper to get a positive result. 

[gio1saints]

Ipswich have played a 4-2-3-1 formation last two matches with Hirst as a focal point. I expect same Sunday. 
 

Consequently I think there’s a fair chance Still may consider 3 CB’s one too many in this situation and put another player into the midfield. Probably the Centre Midfield. The legendary Front Sweeper perhaps!
 

The non existent midfield of recent match’s ( Shea aside) that has NOT controlled matches needs to start doing so. Putting another body there might see us control play better. 
If Les was still here he’d be just right. 

Edited yesterday at 09:31 by gio1saints

[saintant]

12 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Ipswich have played a 4-2-3-1 formation last two matches with Hirst as a focal point. I expect same Sunday. 
 

Consequently I think there’s a fair chance Still may consider 3 CB’s one too many in this situation and put another player into the midfield. Probably the Centre Midfield. The legendary Front Sweeper perhaps!
 

The non existent midfield of recent match’s ( Shea aside) that has NOT controlled matches needs to start doing so. Putting another body there might see us control play better. 
If Les was still here he’d be just right. 

If they play 4231 we need to match up or go 433 or 442 because continuing with 5 at the back will leave our 3 midfielders completely outnumbered. I hope Will is as smart as I think he is.

Edited yesterday at 09:41 by saintant

[Midfield_General]

1 hour ago, danjosaint said:

It bounced off downs to bbd 

Nope - it bounced off Downs to Fernandes. It went:

Downs > Fernandes > BBD > Archer > Fernandes 

3 mins 25 here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7jSjHFT0LBY&pp=ygUac291dGhhbXB0b24gdnMgbm9ydGhhbXB0b24%3D

Fernandes run was absolute quality. Really intelligent play to keep going after starting the move, and then run outside where there was space, before that completely composed cut inside and finish. Class. 

Edited yesterday at 09:39 by Midfield_General

[gio1saints]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

If they play 4231 we need to match up or go 443 or 442 because continuing with 5 at the back will leave our 3 midfielders completely outnumbered. I hope Will is as smart as I think he is.

I like 443 as long as the ref does not notice! 😁

[saintant]

Just now, gio1saints said:

I like 443 as long as the ref does not notice! 😁

Yeah, spotted my mistake and just edited it 🙂 We could always play rush goalies.

[gio1saints]

36 minutes ago, saintant said:

Yeah, spotted my mistake and just edited it 🙂 We could always play rush goalies.

I think 433 or similar is worth a try. Experimenting with it at Ipswich away after two wins in a run ( albeit lucky) may not happen though..

I think surrendering the centre midfield ( which is my personal opinion of the weakness in current set up) v Ipswich is asking for trouble. They are much better than Wrexham or Nthhampton. So- even if what players we currently have available are probably better suited to using 3 CB’s - on balance I’d change it up for this match. 
 

I’d rather flood the midfield and invite them to hit it long ~ and back our Cb’s especially Quarsie or FB’s to win the ball the header or the race to the ball. 
 

 

[trousers]

 

 

[saintant]

26 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

I think 433 or similar is worth a try. Experimenting with it at Ipswich away after two wins in a run ( albeit lucky) may not happen though..

I think surrendering the centre midfield ( which is my personal opinion of the weakness in current set up) v Ipswich is asking for trouble. They are much better than Wrexham or Nthhampton. So- even if what players we currently have available are probably better suited to using 3 CB’s - on balance I’d change it up for this match. 
 

I’d rather flood the midfield and invite them to hit it long ~ and back our Cb’s especially Quarsie or FB’s to win the ball the header or the race to the ball. 
 

 

Agree with this.

[Matthew Le God]

Press conference starts at 13:30 

 

[trousers]

Still confirms Dibling is now back in "normal" training and is possibly an option for Sunday (very non-commtital, unsurprisingly)

Edited 22 hours ago by trousers

[saintant]

Seems to be growing into this part of his role. Thought he came cross as a lot more relaxed today and spoke a lot of sense.

[VectisSaint]

I get the distinct impression Still does not really rate press conferences. Sees them for what they are, a total waste of time and energy.

[Jack]

Agree that Still doesn’t seem to enjoy being at the pressers, but it’s nice that you can listen to him speak and generally agree with everything he’s saying. He seems honest but knows he’s got to be vague on certain topics. 
 

Good to hear after the last couple of seasons and wondering how someone can come out with such a load of bollocks to the media.