Watford 2-2 Saints - Match Thread

[Willo of Whiteley]

Some of this squad are playing for their positions now

[SNSUN]

I know Azaz probably hadn't had much training time with us but I still hope he's on the bench tomorrow and we stop the 3CB experiment.

4222 for me (with attacking 2 wide) : Baz, Mads, THB, Jack, Manning, Shea, Flynn, Fraser, Robinson, Archer, Stewart.

Long term I don't think we play with 2 strikers,  so we have to find the best 1. But I'd like to see 2 for now. 

I'll do the pointless, stupid, disliked, factless, usual post and wheel tomorrow when I can be arsed.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

For the first time in a while, actually looking forward to this game. Only Aziz of the new signings is ok to play tomorrow but just feel we're a club on the move at the moment - hopefully upwards!

[S-Clarke]

17 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Some of this squad are playing for their positions now

This is why we needed these 'ready made' players, it puts pressure on those in the squad at the mo. People like Armstrong, Downes and co haven't had to look over their shoulder at all - but now they have genuine pressure on their places.

That's what I wanted us to do this summer. George Long wasn't the best start at that, but these guys are really going to push the existing 10 outfield.

My criticism over the last season or two is that the drop off to the 'backup' or '2nd players' is too big, but the last week or so inc. Mads has really changed that up.

[Wade Garrett]

Still on holiday, but think we will hammer Watford.  Hopefully, Elton’s fucking syrup will blow off his head after our 4th goes in.

Cunt will definitely be singing Sad Songs tomorrow teatime.

[Convict Colony]

2-0 and Aziz comes on and pulls the strings

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

3 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

Still on holiday, but think we will hammer Watford.  Hopefully, Elton’s fucking syrup will blow off his head after our 4th goes in.

Cunt will definitely be singing Sad Songs tomorrow teatime.

The complacency of our manager to be on holiday at such an important point in the season is astonishing.

[Football Special]

From Watford's perspective It's probably a good time to be playing us. We've had a shaky start, not really settled on a line up / formation that looks balanced, lost some big players and it's too soon for new signings to be involved,  think a draw would be a good result all things considered 

[sfc4prem]

32 minutes ago, Football Special said:

From Watford's perspective It's probably a good time to be playing us. We've had a shaky start, not really settled on a line up / formation that looks balanced, lost some big players and it's too soon for new signings to be involved,  think a draw would be a good result all things considered 

Agreed.

[Harry_SFC]

37 minutes ago, Football Special said:

From Watford's perspective It's probably a good time to be playing us. We've had a shaky start, not really settled on a line up / formation that looks balanced, lost some big players and it's too soon for new signings to be involved,  think a draw would be a good result all things considered 

I think it was always going to be the case of our season properly starting after this international break, given the expected turnover of players late in the window. Glad it's Watford today though and not them lot down the road. 

[gio1saints]

12 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

This is why we needed these 'ready made' players, it puts pressure on those in the squad at the mo. People like Armstrong, Downes and co haven't had to look over their shoulder at all - but now they have genuine pressure on their places.

That's what I wanted us to do this summer. George Long wasn't the best start at that, but these guys are really going to push the existing 10 outfield.

My criticism over the last season or two is that the drop off to the 'backup' or '2nd players' is too big, but the last week or so inc. Mads has really changed that up.

Nicely put. Especially those two names you mentioned. The first name on the team sheet -and only certain starter for me today is MADS at RB. 

A month or two from now I hope we can add AZAZ , JANDER and FELLOWS to the default starters list. The other 7 can fight it out to show why they should start - beginning today with a goal or assist or a great general performance. Drop to a 6/10 performance when the minimum is 7/10 + and you will be sub next week basically. 

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

From Watford's perspective It's probably a good time to be playing us. We've had a shaky start, not really settled on a line up / formation that looks balanced, lost some big players and it's too soon for new signings to be involved,  think a draw would be a good result all things considered 

The only player we've really lost who was a starter is Fernandes. Dibling barely played, and in fairness, Fernandes has had a fairly limited impact in the league as well.

[Football Special]

10 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

The only player we've really lost who was a starter is Fernandes. Dibling barely played, and in fairness, Fernandes has had a fairly limited impact in the league as well.

I was including regular starters like Ramsdale, Bednarek , also Aribo awol, we havent settled into a clear balanced team and have looked chaotic is most games so far , probably will continue today 

Edited yesterday at 08:31 by Football Special

[Harry_SFC]

Bazunu; Stephens, THB, Wood; Roerslev, Downes, Charles, Manning; Fraser, Robinson; Archer.

Not necessarily what I'd pick but what I think Still will go for.

He may pick Stewart instead of Robinson to make it two up top but either way i think it'll be 3 at the back again until the new signings have settled in. 

[Matty's Caddy]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

From Watford's perspective It's probably a good time to be playing us. We've had a shaky start, not really settled on a line up / formation that looks balanced, lost some big players and it's too soon for new signings to be involved,  think a draw would be a good result all things considered 

Not really lost any players that have contributed anything up to this point

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

I think it was always going to be the case of our season properly starting after this international break, given the expected turnover of players late in the window. Glad it's Watford today though and not them lot down the road. 

I agree, you would expect things to start falling into place September onwards but I'd still have preferred to be playing the skates a one or two weeks later once the new boys had a couple of games under their belts.

We'll likely be far more affected with absentees over the international break, if everyone was around then a couple of clear weeks on the training ground would be ideal but by the time the skates come around we'll still be a bit raw, they'll be settled. Not an ideal fixture for newbies. Happy to have my concerns blown out the water.

[Ken Tone]

Do we know for certain which, if any, of the new signings were registered in time to play today? I know when they were announced officially but presumably that was some time after they'd signed.

Obviously if they were available they'd probably only be on the bench. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

The last few days have been excellent with the quality of signings we have made and i'm fully expecting a very different Saints team and performances BUT....not until after the International break unfortunately. I think we will lose against a very physical Watford side today, i just have not seen enough from the current starting 11 that fills me with confidence.

[Yorkshire Saint]

8 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Do we know for certain which, if any, of the new signings were registered in time to play today? I know when they were announced officially but presumably that was some time after they'd signed.

Obviously if they were available they'd probably only be on the bench. 

Reading Blackmore and House tweets many of them could be available.

 

[23rdSaint]

5 minutes ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

Reading Blackmore and House tweets many of them could be available.

 

I think it will only be Azaz. He's already been given a squad number, whereas the others haven't. I'd suspect they're now waiting for others to leave (Aribo and Smallbone) before reallocating their numbers. 

[Gloucester Saint]

58 minutes ago, 23rdSaint said:

I think it will only be Azaz. He's already been given a squad number, whereas the others haven't. I'd suspect they're now waiting for others to leave (Aribo and Smallbone) before reallocating their numbers. 

Smallbone to Wrexham is quite close from sounds it, not far apart on fee and I think he’s agreed terms with them. Quite a few RoI players already there (including James McLean less fortunately). Aribo as someone said last night may be here for a few more days until the Saudi and Turkish windows close.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

The last few days have been excellent with the quality of signings we have made and i'm fully expecting a very different Saints team and performances BUT....not until after the International break unfortunately. I think we will lose against a very physical Watford side today, i just have not seen enough from the current starting 11 that fills me with confidence.

I think Watford will have seen how Stoke played against us and follow a similar plan,  look to counter attack when we lose the ball and leave gaps (which we do even with 5 at the back) 

[S-Clarke]

Watford have lots of new players and a new manager too, they'll also be finding their feet. No idea how to really call Watford, they're a bit of an unknown quantity at this stage.

I'd temper any meltdowns from any non-win result today though, nothing is going to have changed yet in terms of our squad and what we can provide - as many of the players haven't been registered in time. It will probably be more of the same, but hopefully more of the 2nd half Norwich than the Stoke game.

[sockeye]

Would be nice to win today and go into the derby with a bit of a tailwind.

[SNSUN]

Ah Watford, formerly owned by my near-neighbour Elton John. I once popped over there for a cup of sugar, and when he told me to piss off, I kicked him in the leg. He didn't flinch and taunted me because he was still standing. I told him I was sending for family reinforcements to which he replied "dont let the son come down on me". 

Ok I could do shit puns all day but here's the wheel. Following the Wrexham game where it got the result bang on, it has gone back to it's usual series of incorrect predictions, and thus normality has resumed.

 

So there you have it, another defeat going into the International break. We hope the wheel continues to be wrong.

[Whitey Grandad]

16 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I think Watford will have seen how Stoke played against us and follow a similar plan,  look to counter attack when we lose the ball and leave gaps (which we do even with 5 at the back) 

I think 5 at the back makes things worse. They leave the ball to someone else thinking they're going to deal with it. 

[Matty's Caddy]

Looking for 2 tickets if any available…..

[davefizzy14]

Hoping we can get back to winning ways today. Be good to see all of Azaz, Jander and Fellows make their debuts today 😊 COYR 

[coalman]

I'm quite excited about today's game. Even if our new signings aren't available or don't go straight in it gives everyone a lift. And, at the very least, some players know they're going to have to raise their games if they want to stay in the squad.

[Saint Scott]

2 hours ago, 23rdSaint said:

I think it will only be Azaz. He's already been given a squad number, whereas the others haven't. I'd suspect they're now waiting for others to leave (Aribo and Smallbone) before reallocating their numbers. 

Jander is definitely not available, waiting on a Visa.

Think we'll see Azaz at some point 

 

Edited 22 hours ago by Saint Scott

[Football Special]

47 minutes ago, Matty's Caddy said:

Looking for 2 tickets if any available…..

They were on open general sale in the home end, I know a couple of people who have done that, not ideal but is an option 

[Convict Colony]

RIP @Farmer Saint techno at F1 seems louder today

[RedArmy]

Azaz starts! 

[Lighthouse]

Back three it is then. Maddy and Azaz start.

[Jack]

[hypochondriac]

Cool Azaz starts.Shame about 5 at the back stil.

[Jack]

Harsh on Robinson who’s been class recently. Persisting with the back 3 🤨

[O_Lord_Marian]

Glad Azaz starts, but 5 at the back again 🤮

 

[SNSUN]

Hopefully the last we see of the back 3. Post window closure we have the International break for Still to get the players ready for his preferred formation.

[Lard]

Tbh….however early in the season it is….we need 3 points if we are going to be a threat. 

[santolijador]

This Watford team was dismantled by Norwich playing 3-4-3 in the cup earlier in the season. I suppose not having the desired players or time to train 4 at the back is what holds us back today

[Ken Tone]

Don't really see Archer as a lone striker, any more than Armstrong.  But here's hoping I'll be proved wrong.

I'd have preferred Stewart with archer alongside,  with Azaz behind them.

[santolijador]

Downes out for Robinson. I guess Fraser slots in at CM?

[AlexLaw76]

5 at the back, crap

This also suggests Azaz could be pushed more wide, which is not usually where he excels 

[O_Lord_Marian]

Just now, santolijador said:

Downes out for Robinson. I guess Fraser slots in at CM?

He needs to lay off the chicken livers 

[Saint_clark]

Harsh as fuck on Robinson.

[23rdSaint]

5 minutes ago, santolijador said:

Downes out for Robinson. I guess Fraser slots in at CM?

Can't see him getting back into the starting XI any time soon with Jander here

Edited 21 hours ago by 23rdSaint

[Lighthouse]

1 minute ago, Saint_clark said:

Harsh as fuck on Robinson.

He's just turned 18, he was never going to start every game and nor should he. Start him every game and we'll be wondering 'what went wrong with him' by February.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Harsh as fuck on Robinson.

Nice of Downes to give up his place for him. 

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Lighthouse said:

He's just turned 18, he was never going to start every game and nor should he. Start him every game and we'll be wondering 'what went wrong with him' by February.

He is starting.