Harry_SFC Posted Saturday at 18:19 Posted Saturday at 18:19 11 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said: Rasmus may aswell have stayed in charge of recruitment based on this signing. Doubt he’d have even picked out a worse striker than this joker He picked Onuachu who whilst was a poor signing I'd snap your hand off to have at the moment. 9
Stripey McStripe Shirt Posted Saturday at 18:20 Posted Saturday at 18:20 Che Adams scored today for Torino. Just saying. 1
Mboto Gorge Posted Saturday at 18:21 Posted Saturday at 18:21 Just now, Harry_SFC said: He picked Onuachu who whilst was a poor signing I'd snap your hand off to have at the moment. The irony is, Onuachu would thrive at this level at a team who play to his strengths. 20 goals plus I’d be willing to bet 11
Gloucester Saint Posted Saturday at 18:25 Posted Saturday at 18:25 (edited) 4 hours ago, Matthew Le God said: I have passed comment about him Wibble You’d have to go some for another striker to be worse in the FM database at this level than him, and one or two levels below as well. I’ve seen Keith Cassels, Paul Moody, a totally past it and addiction-addled Kerry Dixon, a no-shit giving David Speedie, Ali Dia, Sekou Mara, and Guido Carrillo. Downs is worse, considerably, than any of those. The only one I never saw live was Stig Johansen. One can only assume the scouts never saw him play live. Edited Saturday at 22:19 by Gloucester Saint Forgot Mara 7
coalman Posted Saturday at 18:27 Posted Saturday at 18:27 If the lad is struggling for form and confidence you put him on when you're winning and comfortable. Not when it matters. That's twice in two games Still has hooked the winger that's looking most likely. 15
Harry_SFC Posted Saturday at 18:38 Posted Saturday at 18:38 16 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said: The irony is, Onuachu would thrive at this level at a team who play to his strengths. 20 goals plus I’d be willing to bet I said that as soon as we went down, I wouldn't be fussed if we had to keep Onuachu this season as he'd get a really decent return at this level. 4
bpsaint Posted Saturday at 19:10 Posted Saturday at 19:10 I thought Carrillo or Mara were the worst strikers I’d seen pull on a Saints shirt in recent years, but this lad is another level of shite. Kinda feel bad for him because he probably jumped at the chance to join us, and is clearly not up this level. Perfect example of what happens when you follow data analysis bollocks to scout players instead of the old fashioned way of using your eyes. 20 1
Baird of the land Posted Saturday at 21:02 Posted Saturday at 21:02 Has he played any games for the B team(or whatever it is called now)?
Oh no Mick Mills Posted Saturday at 21:28 Posted Saturday at 21:28 On 09/07/2025 at 15:33, Oh no Mick Mills said: Whilst off last week I watched the full 70 mins he played in Koln v Kaiserslautern on YouTube. Koln won 4 nil. He didn't score but had a decent assist for the 2nd goal. Apart from that and a couple of passes/layoffs he did very little else. On two occasions his first time passes went straight to the opponents and one was a perfect through ball that Kaiserslautern should have scored. Not going to pass judgement on him based on one game but from that first impression I was rather underwhelmed. More Mara than Che Adams going by that game. Looking back at my view of him based on watching one game...feeling a bit smug but ultimately a damming indictment of our bozo recruitment team that some punter like me can watch one game on YouTube and see a dud . Did they actually use their eyes or computer data.? 6
Osvaldorama Posted Saturday at 22:13 Posted Saturday at 22:13 3 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said: The irony is, Onuachu would thrive at this level at a team who play to his strengths. 20 goals plus I’d be willing to bet Yeah We’ve signed wingers that love to cross, and a manager that clearly loves a target man JUST AFTER we let a target man go. WTF were the club thinking?! 2 2
Gloucester Saint Posted Saturday at 22:18 Posted Saturday at 22:18 (edited) 12 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said: Did they actually use their eyes or computer data.? The essence of a rhetorical question. We all know the answer… By contrast pretty clear Derby had watched Agyemang live. He’s also raw but much more what I’d have expected from Downs and cheaper than Downs so Damian ought to be better https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwykgvxjwmko SR getting their naive, lazy pants pulled down again. Edited Sunday at 09:34 by Gloucester Saint 5
chiknsmack Posted Saturday at 23:36 Posted Saturday at 23:36 1 hour ago, Oh no Mick Mills said: Did they actually use their eyes or computer data.? He was signed from the German second division. Sporting Director Johannes Spors has come here from the German second division. Head of Scouting Tim Lederer has come from Hoffenheim, where the first team is in the German top flight and the seconds (who he was more involved with) are in the third. There are plenty of situations where SR have used stats and data to help with recruitment (as every side does nowadays), but to say Downs (and Quarshie) are anything other than signings where Spors used his eyes is retarded. If you're going to do that you also have to give credit for finding Tadic and Pelle to "computer data" and the "black box" rather than Koeman. It's just as obvious that they were signed on the back of Koeman using his eyes as it is that Downs and Quarshie were signed on the back of Spors using his eyes. Maybe Spors should've gone to Specsavers, but that's another argument. 1
Sheaf Saint Posted Sunday at 06:04 Posted Sunday at 06:04 41 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said: Wow. That's truly terrible. I already have my doubts about Still, but if he plays Downs in any capacity in the next game then he'll lose any credibility he might have IMO. This guy wouldn't get a game for any other Championship or even League One club. 3
Mboto Gorge Posted Sunday at 07:13 Posted Sunday at 07:13 I wonder if anyone still thinks he missed that open goal against Wrexham just before Stephens scored, because he was “fouled” 3 2
benjii Posted Sunday at 07:35 Posted Sunday at 07:35 13 hours ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said: Che Adams scored today for Torino. Just saying. Irrelevant. He's too good for another season in the Champ. 1
benjii Posted Sunday at 07:36 Posted Sunday at 07:36 7 hours ago, chiknsmack said: He was signed from the German second division. Sporting Director Johannes Spors has come here from the German second division. Head of Scouting Tim Lederer has come from Hoffenheim, where the first team is in the German top flight and the seconds (who he was more involved with) are in the third. There are plenty of situations where SR have used stats and data to help with recruitment (as every side does nowadays), but to say Downs (and Quarshie) are anything other than signings where Spors used his eyes is retarded. If you're going to do that you also have to give credit for finding Tadic and Pelle to "computer data" and the "black box" rather than Koeman. It's just as obvious that they were signed on the back of Koeman using his eyes as it is that Downs and Quarshie were signed on the back of Spors using his eyes. Maybe Spors should've gone to Specsavers, but that's another argument. It's interesting that by far the best transfer window we've ever had seems to be the one where the actual first team manager had the most involvement. 1
Saint NL Posted Sunday at 08:59 Posted Sunday at 08:59 I can only assume Downs is an actor and he's there for the new season of "This is Southampton" on Netflix. 1
saintant Posted Sunday at 09:07 Posted Sunday at 09:07 3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said: He's improving then. 4
Gloucester Saint Posted Sunday at 09:36 Posted Sunday at 09:36 3 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said: Wow. That's truly terrible. I already have my doubts about Still, but if he plays Downs in any capacity in the next game then he'll lose any credibility he might have IMO. This guy wouldn't get a game for any other Championship or even League One club. He wouldn’t get a start either at Cheltenham in L2 and Wotton wouldn’t want him at Conference South Torquay. 1
suewhistle Posted Sunday at 09:39 Posted Sunday at 09:39 24 minutes ago, saintant said: He's improving then. If I were to be grabbing at straws (and I so definitely am) I'd say he appeared to be putting in more effort.. I'm sure the player himself isn't stupid and his confidence must be shot, but I'm not sure what the answer is beyond swapping places with Akachukwu from the reserves for a spell? But although Still might not want to play him it's highly embarassing for his employers and management who recruited him and might be putting pressure on the manager. 1
Wade Garrett Posted Sunday at 10:09 Posted Sunday at 10:09 4 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said: Wow. That's truly terrible. I already have my doubts about Still, but if he plays Downs in any capacity in the next game then he'll lose any credibility he might have IMO. This guy wouldn't get a game for any other Championship or even League One club. He lost credibility by putting him on the pitch yesterday. He is either a massive Spors arse-licker or he is totally clueless. Personally, I think he’s clueless. 7
capitalsaint Posted Sunday at 10:25 Posted Sunday at 10:25 2 hours ago, benjii said: It's interesting that by far the best transfer window we've ever had seems to be the one where the actual first team manager had the most involvement. I don’t disagree, but presumably Russell had a fair amount of input last year in the absence of a DoF?
Badger Posted Sunday at 14:02 Posted Sunday at 14:02 8 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said: Yeh, but meaningless statistics aside, he had a good game didn’t he? 1
macca155 Posted Sunday at 14:53 Posted Sunday at 14:53 Nobody wants to pile on, he's a young man who clearly isn't up to this level. Pointless moaning about it now. Just take him out of the limelight, and sort a loan in Jan. If Still selects him again then his own credibility will be shot. Archer was available, and for that matter Aribo can play that role at a stretch. Akachukwu is a an option, and maybe he is ready for the bench for the odd cameo. Serious questions need to be asked about his recruitment. They let Ballard go and buy Downs. The former is now scoring and assisting in League 1. His career is developing nicely. Downs's is in tatters. 8
SouSaint Posted Sunday at 15:04 Posted Sunday at 15:04 Just when you think SRs recruitment can't get any worse, they go and spit out this guy. Well done all involved. 5
AlexLaw76 Posted Sunday at 15:07 Posted Sunday at 15:07 Re Downs On a positive note about it all.. he is still young enough to have a full career in something not football 3
Badger Posted Sunday at 15:09 Posted Sunday at 15:09 (edited) 5 minutes ago, SouSaint said: Just when you think SRs recruitment can't get any worse, they go and spit out this guy. Well done all involved. Most damning thing about it is that he hasn’t been plucked from some remote far flung tinpot league in Ecuador or New Guinea, but from Germany, a league known only too well to Spors and our Head Scout. Next time let Mariella take a punt. Edited Sunday at 15:10 by Badger 3
Sunglasses Ron Posted Sunday at 15:16 Posted Sunday at 15:16 9 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said: But WHAT A PASS that was! 2
Badger Posted Sunday at 15:30 Posted Sunday at 15:30 12 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said: But WHAT A PASS that was! Where does it feature on the Mara Scale of slide rule passes though ?
Sunglasses Ron Posted Sunday at 15:47 Posted Sunday at 15:47 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Badger said: Where does it feature on the Mara Scale of slide rule passes though ? I feel a mere explanation simply won’t do it justice, so I present it in three key images. 1. Ball comes to him from long; 2. Ball hits him (possibly in the nuts, but let’s do him a solid and say he did well to hold off his man and receive with the thigh); and 3. In one fluid motion the ball gets laid off to Azaz, who in turn sets up Fellows for our near winner. In summary, we have lift off and this is hopefully the first of many more successful passes. Edited Sunday at 15:58 by Sunglasses Ron 2 2 1
Badger Posted Monday at 08:10 Posted Monday at 08:10 (edited) 16 hours ago, Sunglasses Ron said: I feel a mere explanation simply won’t do it justice, so I present it in three key images. 1. Ball comes to him from long; 2. Ball hits him (possibly in the nuts, but let’s do him a solid and say he did well to hold off his man and receive with the thigh); and 3. In one fluid motion the ball gets laid off to Azaz, who in turn sets up Fellows for our near winner. In summary, we have lift off and this is hopefully the first of many more successful passes. Thanks for highlighting this bit of skill and the excellent graphics. To really get the full impact of this bit of skill your post is best read with either Alan Hansen or Alan Shearers voice in your head as they talk us through it. Intrigued as to how he controlled the ball at point two, whether leg, testicles, or other male appendage. Think he deserves a song. Perhaps one of our wordsmiths here can come up with something (politically correct) for a big black bloke with a pineapple on his head, and how he controls the ball with his middle wicket. Edited Monday at 08:11 by Badger 2
Osvaldorama Posted Monday at 08:35 Posted Monday at 08:35 As some have said, I do feel sorry for him as he’s been thrown to the wolves. It’s not really his fault that we haven’t bought a decent striker in years. With that being said, I’d really like someone to do one of those “all touches” videos for his last few appearances. At least then we could fairly compare him with Ali Dia 1
Dman Posted Monday at 08:59 Posted Monday at 08:59 He's another striker who can't play with his back to goal imo. He's essentially Cameron Archer, just a bit bigger. 1
beatlesaint Posted Monday at 09:01 Posted Monday at 09:01 1 minute ago, Dman said: He's another striker who can't play with his back to goal imo. He's essentially Cameron Archer, just a bit bigger. and slower.
Toussaint Posted Monday at 09:18 Posted Monday at 09:18 17 minutes ago, Dman said: He's another striker who can't play with his back to goal imo. He's essentially Cameron Archer, just a bit bigger. Cameron Archer will score goals given the correct service, I doubt Downs will unless he’s unmarked and the keeper has gone awol. 2
Roo1976 Posted Monday at 09:19 Posted Monday at 09:19 35 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said: As some have said, I do feel sorry for him as he’s been thrown to the wolves. It’s not really his fault that we haven’t bought a decent striker in years. With that being said, I’d really like someone to do one of those “all touches” videos for his last few appearances. At least then we could fairly compare him with Ali Dia yeah was just thinking about a video analysis of all the games hes been involved with just to show Still, just why do you pick him and whats the point? I remember the good old Dave Jones days when we got Carlton Palmer,the manager would say things like covered alot of the pitch today,usually due to his first touch being bloody awful,which has stuck and makes me chuckle.And to think hes getting paid to be a footballer for us. Are the owners watching and thinking things are ok?
Dman Posted Monday at 09:24 Posted Monday at 09:24 3 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Cameron Archer will score goals given the correct service, I doubt Downs will unless he’s unmarked and the keeper has gone awol. Maybe. However, to date, we've not really seen Downs given the right service to judge that one. FWIW, i'm not really defending him - the start has been poor, his confidence is clearly lower than a snakes belly and from the small cameo's we've seen, he looks like he's won a competition to play professional football. He needs to sharpen up with his back to goal and offer us more. That being said, I would like to see him in a side who are free-flowing and full of confidence. 3
Saint86 Posted Monday at 09:56 Posted Monday at 09:56 (edited) 39 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Cameron Archer will score goals given the correct service. Not seen much evidence of that frankly. Looks totally off the pace, lacks composure, and doesn't have the same movement and instinct as AA - at least we can sit here and moan about AA's finishing... Archer doesn't even generate those chances. At this point I'd say we basically have to spoon feed it to archer. Our best strikers are AA and Stewart, without question. Could happily sell the rest of them and start again... Downs is meant to be a player in the Stewart profile... But looks like we bought the wrong American. And archer is a poorer Armstrong. Edited Monday at 09:58 by Saint86
Badger Posted Monday at 10:08 Posted Monday at 10:08 1 hour ago, Dman said: He's another striker who can't play with his back to goal imo. He's essentially Cameron Archer, just a bit bigger. 49 minutes ago, Toussaint said: Cameron Archer will score goals given the correct service, I doubt Downs will unless he’s unmarked and the keeper has gone awol. Fucking hell, a ‘poor man’s Cameron Archer’. That’s something to live up (or down) to. 1
Toussaint Posted Monday at 10:19 Posted Monday at 10:19 20 minutes ago, Saint86 said: Not seen much evidence of that frankly. Looks totally off the pace, lacks composure, and doesn't have the same movement and instinct as AA - at least we can sit here and moan about AA's finishing... Archer doesn't even generate those chances. At this point I'd say we basically have to spoon feed it to archer. Our best strikers are AA and Stewart, without question. Could happily sell the rest of them and start again... Downs is meant to be a player in the Stewart profile... But looks like we bought the wrong American. And archer is a poorer Armstrong. I think he’s shown flashes, even last season in the premier league, Arsenal and City away as examples. He’s definitely done it at other clubs, we just don’t seem to play through balls, balls over the top or create enough penalty area chaos for him.
Sunnyside Saint Posted Monday at 10:37 Posted Monday at 10:37 For the love of god I hope the poor fella doesn't read this thread 🤣 2
saintant Posted Monday at 11:17 Posted Monday at 11:17 1 hour ago, Dman said: Maybe. However, to date, we've not really seen Downs given the right service to judge that one. FWIW, i'm not really defending him - the start has been poor, his confidence is clearly lower than a snakes belly and from the small cameo's we've seen, he looks like he's won a competition to play professional football. He needs to sharpen up with his back to goal and offer us more. That being said, I would like to see him in a side who are free-flowing and full of confidence. He's a big lad - the least he needs to show is some aggression towards opponents. Do that and the rest might eventually follow although it could be a long journey from what we've seen so far. Will Still has said he needs to pick a few fights and he's dead right because Downs is far too passive for his own good. Get stuck in lad! 1
BARCELONASAINT Posted Monday at 11:18 Posted Monday at 11:18 20 hours ago, Badger said: Most damning thing about it is that he hasn’t been plucked from some remote far flung tinpot league in Ecuador or New Guinea, but from Germany, a league known only too well to Spors and our Head Scout. Next time let Mariella take a punt. I can confirm DD was signed before she took her position and from what i've been told she would NOT have recommended him!
saintant Posted Monday at 11:20 Posted Monday at 11:20 1 minute ago, BARCELONASAINT said: I can confirm DD was signed before she took her position and from what i've been told she would NOT have recommended him! Sounds to me like she is more astute at spotting talent than Spors. Judging by Downs it's a low bar.
Turkish Posted Tuesday at 10:49 Posted Tuesday at 10:49 Here’s his player profile. No significant strengths 😂😂 3 1 1
pingpong Posted Tuesday at 11:21 Posted Tuesday at 11:21 He can still come good. He's very young, has had a rough time settling in off the pitch (USA games, lots of moving around), and he's only had what, 200mins of game time so far? Personally I'd like still to keep giving him minutes, and at least he has a chance of coming good, I wouldn't give up on him yet, it's not like he is keeping le tiss out of the team. 4
LeBizzier69 Posted Tuesday at 11:28 Posted Tuesday at 11:28 5 minutes ago, pingpong said: He can still come good. He's very young, has had a rough time settling in off the pitch (USA games, lots of moving around), and he's only had what, 200mins of game time so far? Personally I'd like still to keep giving him minutes, and at least he has a chance of coming good, I wouldn't give up on him yet, it's not like he is keeping le tiss out of the team. True, although i'd only want him near the pitch if we're winning a game comfortably.....so he might have to wait another 2-3 seasons. 3
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