Finn Azaz

[skintsaint]

7 minutes ago, trousers said:

It's "I have my tortoise" actually

(sticking my neck out there)

Feeling a little shell-shocked after this revelation. 

[trousers]

1 minute ago, skintsaint said:

Feeling a little shell-shocked after this revelation. 

Turtley understand

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

It's "I have my tortoise" actually

(sticking my neck out there)

Not about to release some otters are you? 

[Patches O Houlihan]

No - but I like the cut of her beaver

[Saint Fan CaM]

Welcome Finn.

Well, all of a sudden things are looking up - a significant number of new signings that on paper appear to strengthen the squad. One note of caution - when we signed BBD, Archer, Onuachu and Sulemana we all thought how great it was that we had signed forwards that had previously been prolific…fingers crossed these guys are a cut above that. Looking forward to seeing them play in red’n’white.

[skintsaint]

1 hour ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

hen we signed BBD, Archer, Onuachu and Sulemana we all thought how great it was that we had signed forwards that had previously been prolific…

I think they all had their doubters when they signed tbh.

[Lighthouse]

3 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

One note of caution - when we signed BBD, Archer, Onuachu and Sulemana we all thought how great it was that we had signed forwards that had previously been prolific

None of those players were anything close to prolific at PL level, which is where we signed them to play.

[CB Fry]

4 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

One note of caution - when we signed BBD, Archer, Onuachu and Sulemana we all thought how great it was that we had signed forwards that had previously been prolific

BBD was widely seen as an OK signing for a low price having just scored a decent amount for a relegation zone Prem team for the previous six months. Onuachu and Sulemana had been prolific in different leagues and were panicky signings, everyone knew it. Archer was nothing more than a decent Championship prospect similar to when we signed Armstrong.

Today's deals really not comparable.

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

None of those players were anything close to prolific at PL level, which is where we signed them to play.

I didn’t claim they were ‘close to prolific at PL level’…we signed them as we embarked on the last EPL campaign thinking their past performance could be repeated. That didn’t happen You’re getting worse than MLG.

[Saint Fan CaM]

51 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

BBD was widely seen as an OK signing for a low price having just scored a decent amount for a relegation zone Prem team for the previous six months. Onuachu and Sulemana had been prolific in different leagues and were panicky signings, everyone knew it. Archer was nothing more than a decent Championship prospect similar to when we signed Armstrong.

Today's deals really not comparable.

Unless you’ve got a crystal ball we don’t know whether today’s deals will be as shite as those previous players were in terms of fulfilling expectations. That was my point.

[CB Fry]

4 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Unless you’ve got a crystal ball we don’t know whether today’s deals will be as shite as those previous players were in terms of fulfilling expectations. That was my point.

"Yeah, but what if they all turn out to be shit? Then what? Sack the board."

[Toadhall Saint]

For me the 3 signed so far are game changers ie they all individually have the ability to change a game. The more of those type of players you have in your team the better also if they click, the sum of the whole will be way more than the individual. Just got to get them to click and that is WS’s job.

[benjii]

7 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Unless you’ve got a crystal ball we don’t know whether today’s deals will be as shite as those previous players were in terms of fulfilling expectations. That was my point.

Top point.

[gio1saints]

This is true of every incoming transfer - fan expectation always super high. 

How often is that expectation justified on their debut? I think Aaron did well on debut but before that gotta go back to Rickie Lamberts double day after he joined!
Moral of the story - do not expect him to be Messi. If he can run and kick a ball in the right direction without falling over and it does not go into Row z theres a fair chance he’s better than the player he replaced - so give him time. 

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, gio1saints said:

This is true of every incoming transfer - fan expectation always super high. 

Was it for George Long? 😉 😇 

[gio1saints]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

Was it for George Long? 😉 😇 

Ahead of the signing I think the answer is 100% yes.
After signing there was this grand denouement but, and the performances for saints in recent years should back this up - when a substitute goalie has had to step up he’s not done as bad as his previous critics would have you believe. Alex Mc in the playoffs a good example but two clean sheets in Carabao cup another. And  that weird time when he was not even on the bench. Lumley did not appear totally bad on the few times he played either. So. Maybe low expectations are a good thing sometimes high expectations not such a good thing. I know certainly from a player sporting psychology perspective so much work takes place on lowering that extra layer of self imposed performance stress Fan expectation only feeds that. 

[Matthew Le God]

3 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Ahead of the signing I think the answer is 100% yes.

It really wasn't. Just take a look at the transfer thread from before he signed. Not even close to being "fan expectation super high". 

[gio1saints]

You may well be right. But then again opinions are like acorns - only a few come to much. 
I thought new gk would be a challenger in waiting and hoped it would be. I knew we could not sign an immediate starter when we still have AARON on the books but I’d hoped for a bit more competition. So, my personal expectations were logically but not unreasonably high.  Long does not hit that expectation but if true to form, when/if Baz is rested / injured/suspended and Alex gets a knock I’d bet Long plays a decent match for us - In the Carabao cup final v Chelsea where he saves 5 penalties to our 1 scored 3 missed  😆. It’s about that likely too.😇

[Tommy Mulgrew]

On 27/08/2025 at 23:38, Whitey Grandad said:

Steve Palmer went to my college at Cambridge

Christ! Christ! Christ!

😉

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

Christ! Christ! Christ!

😉

Souvent Me Souvient

[Tommy Mulgrew]

I prefer mine:

 

Perhaps she remembers me.

[verlaine1979]

12 hours ago, gio1saints said:

You may well be right. But then again opinions are like acorns - only a few come to much. 
I thought new gk would be a challenger in waiting and hoped it would be. I knew we could not sign an immediate starter when we still have AARON on the books but I’d hoped for a bit more competition. So, my personal expectations were logically but not unreasonably high.  Long does not hit that expectation but if true to form, when/if Baz is rested / injured/suspended and Alex gets a knock I’d bet Long plays a decent match for us - In the Carabao cup final v Chelsea where he saves 5 penalties to our 1 scored 3 missed  😆. It’s about that likely too.😇

Why not refer to players by their last name? Especially those that have left the club temporarily. No point evoking a chummy fraternity with someone who doesn't even play for us at the moment.

[gio1saints]

8 hours ago, verlaine1979 said:

Why not refer to players by their last name? Especially those that have left the club temporarily. No point evoking a chummy fraternity with someone who doesn't even play for us at the moment.

Because Saints are family to me. HTH. 

[Sheaf Saint]

Thought he had a decent debut yesterday. Always looking to play a forward pass or a through ball, and might well have got an assist to put us 2-0 up if not for an incompetent lino. Looking forward to seeing more of him in a stronger midfield once we've finally scrapped the 3 at the back formation.

[Patches O Houlihan]

Looked tired at the end - apparently he had a small injury that disrupted his pre-season. I looked at his stats playing in the Championship for Middlesborough he competed a full 90 mins for them 30 times in 67 matches

Might have scored as well with that chance he had from the right.

[chownie20]

Can't help but think there's a song here with that Azizam Ed Sheeran song... Need some creativity which sadly don't have.

[maysie]

6 minutes ago, chownie20 said:

Can't help but think there's a song here with that Azizam Ed Sheeran song... Need some creativity which sadly don't have.

Neither does Ed Sheeran.

[chownie20]

4 minutes ago, maysie said:

Neither does Ed Sheeran.

Good job Finn does.

[pimpin4rizeal]

Watched most of the Ireland game yesterday to check out Finn. He was a bit invisible man yesterday didn’t really  get in the game although forced the keeper into a great save with a header.  Can tell he can hit a good pass but it was a underwhelming game .

manning on the other hand was bloody fantastic . Marauding up and down the flank raining in quality crosses MOTM for me. He hit another two great free kicks one which was spilled for Ireland’s first goal and the other went close,also set up the equaliser with another good cross .. Ryan seems in top form at the minute think we might finally see the player we where excited about two years ago 

[trousers]

8 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Ryan seems in top form at the minute think we might finally see the player we where excited about two years ago 

I don't like to play the contrarian (not least to avoid stealing Lighthouse's thunder) but I don't recall a collective sense of 'excitement' when Manning was signed...? (Apologies though if my memory is playing up again)

Regardless, good to see him in a good run of form. A sure fire starter for the PCFC game I'd have thought.

Edited Sunday at 08:38 by trousers

[revolution saint]

7 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Watched most of the Ireland game yesterday to check out Finn. He was a bit invisible man yesterday didn’t really  get in the game although forced the keeper into a great save with a header.  Can tell he can hit a good pass but it was a underwhelming game .

manning on the other hand was bloody fantastic . Marauding up and down the flank raining in quality crosses MOTM for me. He hit another two great free kicks one which was spilled for Ireland’s first goal and the other went close,also set up the equaliser with another good cross .. Ryan seems in top form at the minute think we might finally see the player we where excited about two years ago 

Yeah, I did the same thing and pretty much agree with you. Manning had a very good game and shows up very well on set pieces.

Difficult game for Azaz. I think he’s going to divide opinion, he’s not really going to press effectively or offer too much defensively but does have good vision and tie things together going forward. I like how he gets his head up and spots an early pass.

[Gloucester Saint]

13 minutes ago, trousers said:

I don't like to play the contrarian (not least to avoid stealing Lighthouse's thunder) but I don't recall a collective sense of 'excitement' when Manning was signed...? (Apologies though if my memory is playing up again)

Regardless, good to see him in a good run of form. A sure fire starter for the PCFC game I'd have thought.

He’d got into the Championship team of the year at Swansea and Leeds also wanted him, was linked with PL clubs. It was assumed that he’d probably follow Martin (and did) but very underwhelming first season, slightly better last year but this season going forward is what we had expected in terms of set pieces and assists. 

[gio1saints]

10 minutes ago, trousers said:

I don't like to play the contrarian (not least to avoid stealing Lighthouse's thunder) but I don't recall a collective sense of 'excitement' when Manning was signed...? (Apologies though if my memory is playing up again)

Regardless, good to see him in a good run of form. A sure fire starter for the PCFC game I'd have thought.

Memory is working fine @trousers. Ryan was very unfairly and stupidly tainted by association with RM - but also by not being very good defensively and often not good enough offensively during most of his saints career.
 

And, despite his work rate the consensus on this forum andNortham  was generally meh and groaning whenever he was playing.
 

He also suffered badly by comparison with another not great defender but much better offensively FB in KWP. 

This season he is a revelation. He has been doing exactly what he likes to do- and is good at - maraud left flank put crosses in - safe in the knowledge that he has defensive back up and managers got his back. A couple if free kicks and assists later and the bloke is obviously in the purple patch of form - of his entire Saints career. Unless injured he’s undroppable at present and must start v Pompey. 

NB. He may or may not be undroppable in a back four however in which a better defensively LB is required. Manning form, in the position he’s currently playing, may be the deciding factor in whether we go 3CB or not v Pompey.

My personal view is play a back four with him in it - but ensure the defence shuffle across to a back three ( Mads, THB, JS) when he marauds.  

[pimpin4rizeal]

17 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

Yeah, I did the same thing and pretty much agree with you. Manning had a very good game and shows up very well on set pieces.

Difficult game for Azaz. I think he’s going to divide opinion, he’s not really going to press effectively or offer too much defensively but does have good vision and tie things together going forward. I like how he gets his head up and spots an early pass.

Was azaz actually playing as a ten ? Maybe  it was too congested for him since Hungary defending a 2-0 lead for much of the game . I was just expecting everything to go through azaz and him to be  the creator but he really just didn’t get on the ball much even though Ireland had a lot of possession 

[revolution saint]

Just now, pimpin4rizeal said:

Was azaz actually playing as a ten ? Maybe  it was too congested for him since Hungary defending a 2-0 lead for much of the game . I was just expecting everything to go through azaz and him to be  the creator but he really just didn’t get on the ball much even though Ireland had a lot of possession 

Mostly but they moved him around a fair bit and he played on the left for some of the time. I’d have liked to see him drop a bit deeper at times. Even in a difficult game that he struggled to get into he still managed to play a lovely one two with Manning, force a very good save from the keeper and took some decent corners too. Strikes me as a player that will do better in teams that have more possession (which we should in the majority of games)

[AlexLaw76]

Azaz will bomb at saints if he is played next to Charles in a wide open 352 formation. 

He will not bomb if he is played as a 10

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Azaz will bomb at saints if he is played next to Charles in a wide open 352 formation. 

He will not bomb if he is played as a 10

He didn’t play alongside Charles against Watford when we didn’t have many options so I don’t think it’s likely Still will play him there when we’ve got Downes and Janker available 

[pimpin4rizeal]

4 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

Mostly but they moved him around a fair bit and he played on the left for some of the time. I’d have liked to see him drop a bit deeper at times. Even in a difficult game that he struggled to get into he still managed to play a lovely one two with Manning, force a very good save from the keeper and took some decent corners too. Strikes me as a player that will do better in teams that have more possession (which we should in the majority of games)

Yep agree with all that .. also expected him to drop deep more .. I think that’s what took him out of the game he just seemed to be positioning himself in crowded areas and not getting into space 

Edited Sunday at 09:16 by pimpin4rizeal

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

He didn’t play alongside Charles against Watford when we didn’t have many options so I don’t think it’s likely Still will play him there when we’ve got Downes and Janker available 

He played in a system that was wide open, meaning he will likely need to press more and track back more.

He will bomb. 

If we are more solid and not surrender the middle of the pitch, he will be on the front foot much more in the final 3rd

[gio1saints]

7 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Azaz will bomb at saints if he is played next to Charles in a wide open 352 formation. 

He will not bomb if he is played as a 10

Could you clarify what you mean please?
 My understanding of a #10 is he generally plays behind a front one or front two and goes where he likes. 

playing next to Charles in a 5 man CM I presume you mean Charles is his minder and Finn still goes where he likes- or take it in turns? Is it that Finn is better when he’s got players close by?
I’ve not really grasped the alternate position you suggesting for him? 
 

Ah- no need you explained it above. Yes I think you are probably right. 

Edited Sunday at 09:20 by gio1saints

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, gio1saints said:

Could you clarify what you mean please?
 My understanding of a #10 is he generally plays behind a front one or front two and goes where he likes. 

playing next to Charles in a 5 man CM I presume you mean Charles is his minder and Finn still goes where he likes- or take it in turns? Is it that Finn is better when he’s got players close by?
I’ve not really grasped the alternate position you suggesting for him? 

played like he did against Watford (and the set up in all games this season), which was in a team wide open all over the pitch, surrendering midfield meaning he will drop deeper and deeper. 

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

He played in a system that was wide open, meaning he will likely need to press more and track back more.

He will bomb. 

If we are more solid and not surrender the middle of the pitch, he will be on the front foot much more in the final 3rd

So basically your point is the formation and not really where he plays within it. Yeah, I agree we should change to a back 4 but that’s not specific to Azaz

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

So basically your point is the formation and not really where he plays within it. Yeah, I agree we should change to a back 4 but that’s not specific to Azaz

Agree.  To get the most out of one of the best players in the league last season, then changing formation is a must (if not for a multitude of other reasons)

 

Edited Sunday at 09:23 by AlexLaw76

[Sheaf Saint]

50 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Memory is working fine @trousers. Ryan was very unfairly and stupidly tainted by association with RM - but also by not being very good defensively and often not good enough offensively during most of his saints career.
 

And, despite his work rate the consensus on this forum andNortham  was generally meh and groaning whenever he was playing.
 

He also suffered badly by comparison with another not great defender but much better offensively FB in KWP. 

This season he is a revelation. He has been doing exactly what he likes to do- and is good at - maraud left flank put crosses in - safe in the knowledge that he has defensive back up and managers got his back. A couple if free kicks and assists later and the bloke is obviously in the purple patch of form - of his entire Saints career. Unless injured he’s undroppable at present and must start v Pompey. 

NB. He may or may not be undroppable in a back four however in which a better defensively LB is required. Manning form, in the position he’s currently playing, may be the deciding factor in whether we go 3CB or not v Pompey.

My personal view is play a back four with him in it - but ensure the defence shuffle across to a back three ( Mads, THB, JS) when he marauds.  

I think you might have been watching a different Ryan Manning from me then. Because what you have described above doesn't correlate with what I've seen. So far he's had one good game - as a sub against Wrexham. The rest of the time he's been mostly underwhelming, free kicks aside. 

As for your last sentence - just no. I never want to see him playing LB in a four because he's simply not good enough defensively and leaves us badly exposed time and time again with poor positioning and a rank inability to prevent crosses into our box. 

And I absolutely do not want to see us play with 3 CBs against Pompey, because it leaves us wide open in midfield and that's the last thing we need in a highly charged derby game. 

[trousers]

According to my Sky Sports app, Manning was playing left midfield for Ireland. Is that accurate? (I didn't watch the game)

 

[Harry_SFC]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think you might have been watching a different Ryan Manning from me then. Because what you have described above doesn't correlate with what I've seen. So far he's had one good game - as a sub against Wrexham. The rest of the time he's been mostly underwhelming, free kicks aside. 

As for your last sentence - just no. I never want to see him playing LB in a four because he's simply not good enough defensively and leaves us badly exposed time and time again with poor positioning and a rank inability to prevent crosses into our box. 

And I absolutely do not want to see us play with 3 CBs against Pompey, because it leaves us wide open in midfield and that's the last thing we need in a highly charged derby game. 

Agree with this. He is decent enough going forward but is a known liability defensively, especially in a 4 as you mention. He didn't defend well against Watford at all and I think Still knows this - hence why he preferred Welington when he was fit. 

Not sure it'll be long before Jelert replaces him but we'll see. 

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

According to my Sky Sports app, Manning was playing left midfield for Ireland. Is that accurate? (I didn't watch the game)

 

Yeah, Doherty was behind him but the formation was more like a 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 2 1 at times. Azaz certainly wasn’t playing up front most of the time.

[trousers]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

Yeah, Doherty was behind him but the formation was more like a 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 2 1 at times. Azaz certainly wasn’t playing up front most of the time.

Cheers. I seem to recall Manning playing well for us before in midfield, on the odd occasions that he did so. Maybe that's his most natural/ effective position...?

[revolution saint]

Just now, trousers said:

Cheers. I seem to recall Manning playing well for us before in midfield, on the odd occasions that he did so. Maybe that's his most natural/ effective position...?

I think ROI always play him left mid rather than fullback and think he started out in midfield at QPR too. He did drop to left back in the second half last night but that was after Hungary were down to 10 men and defending for the most part. 
He’s a decent player without so much defensive responsibility and delivers a good cross. Debatable whether we have better options for that position but he’s better there than left back

[gio1saints]

33 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think you might have been watching a different Ryan Manning from me then. Because what you have described above doesn't correlate with what I've seen. So far he's had one good game - as a sub against Wrexham. The rest of the time he's been mostly underwhelming, free kicks aside. 

As for your last sentence - just no. I never want to see him playing LB in a four because he's simply not good enough defensively and leaves us badly exposed time and time again with poor positioning and a rank inability to prevent crosses into our box. 

And I absolutely do not want to see us play with 3 CBs against Pompey, because it leaves us wide open in midfield and that's the last thing we need in a highly charged derby game. 

Well I think that he’s been one of our better players this season.😁 If asked to say who is the most improved player for saints this year the answer, for me, is Fraser or Jay then Ryan. Cam fourth. Shea was not here last year.The rest nowhere. Perhaps you do not consider the low base from which he started as relevant but I do. Given his relative unpopularity on the terraces overcoming that as well shows he’s got guts and ability. 

Add in a very good high pressure WC  international  performance v Hungary as well plus two excellent goals and the assist that sparked an fightback for his Country and he’s got a good case to being our best / most effective performer this season!
But yup- opinions will differ or vary!No worries. He’s not Roberto Carlos or Paolo Maldini and his defending is not very good I totally agree! 😁

On your comment regarding not playing him in a back four - and simultaneously not wanting to see a back 3 versus pfc. Don’t need to be a brain surgeon to work out that you’d be dropping Ryan Manning for the derby in favour of someone else presumably the new signing Jelert at LB in a straight four? 
 

If so it’s a bold decision dropping manning especially after last nights success and I have no idea about jelert apart from he is speedy danish a bit  injury prone an international ( but not in latest squad) but well regarded - and Caspar made him look like a dustbin in training the other day 😂
 

Edited Sunday at 10:30 by gio1saints