Saints 0-0 Skates - Match Thread

[Sunglasses Ron]

So bad, that really was. Archer probably the only one who’s done ok in my book.

[benjii]

Should be booed off.

But fans need to get energy up after half time.

[Farmer Saint]

Portsmouth have been brilliant at nullifying us. Extremely disciplined.

[Saint_clark]

Not sure what the tactics are here. Maybe punt it long to make them sit deeper and exploit the space in the second half? Not seeing enough from Downes, Charles and Azaz making themselves available for the ball and the fullbacks have been poor with their passing.

[64saint]

51 minutes before our first threat on their goal.  Wtf ????

[saintant]

That was absolutely shocking and the only good news is we are not behind but Pompey will certainly fancy winning this now. Change it Will!

Edited 14 September, 2025 by saintant

[sockeye]

Ineffectual so far. Who are we passing to? Feels like the squad only just met up yesterday.

[AlexLaw76]

HT

they have been much better, defending well and getting in the front foot quickly

that was, quite frankly, pathetic

if this is Will Still’s football, we have no chance in going up, and be lucky to beat pompey 

[Lighthouse]

Azaz off for Jander IMO, we need someone deeper in midfield to grab the game by the balls.

[adrian lord]

1 minute ago, lambtiss said:

What have we been doing for the past 2 weeks

Coke and hookers by the look of it

[Saint86]

Not good.

The only things we are creating - is when we do crab football until Pompey push up, and then we hit a long ball and try to quick counter.

Edited 14 September, 2025 by Saint86

[BotleySaint]

The hangover from Russball is still there. Way too much passing it backwards and sideways. The few times we went forward was mostly lumping it long to no effect. If we keep it down, that's when we've created chances. 

[coalman]

We're trying too hard to play the killer pass too early. It's just leading to us giving the ball away again over and over with no pressure on Pompey players in their half.

[Gloucester Saint]

Cheers Conor! 

Only positives:

- Baz coming for and winning the ball

- Archer winning his duels and lively

- Fraser beating Swanson every time

- Charles

Some shocking displays otherwise and Fellows and Azaz having to work from barely scraps. Has Downes found a red shirt with a pass? 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Crap game, route one tactics…

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, BotleySaint said:

The hangover from Russball is still there. Way too much passing it backwards and sideways. The few times we went forward was mostly lumping it long to no effect. If we keep it down, that's when we've created chances. 

Have you not thought they are playing how this manager wants them to play?

[Paul_B]

We need to grow some bollocks! No pressing, no aggression, no quality or creativity, losing every 50/50. Fucking shambles!

[jamesfp1]

Can't pass. Can't create. I can't cope. 

[tdmickey3]

Well, that was a absolute and utter load of shit.

Hoofing to a small striker AGAIN, fuckin stupid

Edited 14 September, 2025 by tdmickey3

[IronCitySaint]

Miserable first half. Unless something dramatic changes, it looks like just a matter of time until they score. Basic passing and moving appears elusive to Saints these days. Really lucky still to be in this game.

[AlexLaw76]

Keiffer Moore was available this summer

just saying (again)

🙈

[pingpong]

Think we need to go back to 3 at the back...

[Baird of the land]

Continue to be very unimpressed with Still

Big half time for him because that 1st half was largely embarassing

[miserableoldgit]

Problem is that we haven't been passing the ball forward.....we have been humping it and hoping for the best, which isn't  good enough or effective....

[benjii]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Azaz off for Jander IMO, we need someone deeper in midfield to grab the game by the balls.

Yeah, switch to 433 and get the defence up the pitch. 

[Midfield_General]

Tactically, this is disgusting

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, pingpong said:

Think we need to go back to 3 at the back...

Why, will it stop us launching the ball forward from deep?

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

Azaz off for Jander IMO, we need someone deeper in midfield to grab the game by the balls.

Called this a few minutes ago. Not Finn’s fault but we’ve got to get it down and control midfield and get Fellows and Fraser in the game more. Fraser has pissed all over Swanson on the rare occasions we’ve found him. 

[benjii]

2 minutes ago, BotleySaint said:

The hangover from Russball is still there. Way too much passing it backwards and sideways. The few times we went forward was mostly lumping it long to no effect. If we keep it down, that's when we've created chances. 

Complete bullshit.

×edit: not the crap forward passing but the blaming Russ.

Edited 14 September, 2025 by benjii

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Azaz off for Jander IMO, we need someone deeper in midfield to grab the game by the balls.

Can't believe that's a serious call. Azaz is the only one moving and offering an option. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

Jesus that was an absolute shocking first half. Pompey are taking the piss, they are head and shoulders better. Our players look like rabbits caught in the headlights.

[Baird of the land]

1 minute ago, tdmickey3 said:

Well, that was a absolute and utter load of shit.

Hoofing to a small striker AGAIN, fuckin stupid

Wait till we bring on the tall striker and try and play on the ground to him

[benjii]

1 minute ago, Midfield_General said:

Tactically, this is disgusting

No clue off the ball or on it. Useless.

[Saint Fan CaM]

We look like a team of strangers. Poor. And what’s the point of a back 4 if you by-pass a bolstered midfield? Not impressed to be honest and hoping for much better in the 2nd half.

[Scoobysaint]

On a positive note, it’s been a shocker but it’s still 0-0. Wee man needs more of the ball against the full back who’s on a yellow. Where he tires, get Robinson or Scienza on. I’d be tempted to get Big Ross on for Archer if we are gonna persist with this long ball. At least he can hold it up and bring Azaz and others into the game. Only player really playing is Shea Charles. 

Edited 14 September, 2025 by Scoobysaint

[ButtikonSaint]

Very effective pressing and nullified our forwards...  maybe a game or two too early to have changed our shape .
Wouldn't be surprised if he went back to a 3-4-3 for the second half. 
Bad first half from us.

[Midfield_General]

3 minutes ago, BotleySaint said:

The hangover from Russball is still there. Way too much passing it backwards and sideways. The few times we went forward was mostly lumping it long to no effect. If we keep it down, that's when we've created chances. 

I think we can stop blaming Martin now don’t you? We’ve had 3 managers since then 

[Chez]

We are simply unable to pass the ball through the lines - leading to us passing across the back line. Azaz needs to work much much harder to be available, as do the two wingers. Might open up second half a little as they tire. Hopefully. 

Got to stop the ball to Murphy. He's the stand out player. 

Edited 14 September, 2025 by Chez

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, pingpong said:

Think we need to go back to 3 at the back...

No, we need to swap Azaz for Jander and control midfield. All 5 at the back does is offer Murphy even more space to put deliveries in. 

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

We're getting fuck all today, which is exactly what we deserve based on the performance so far. 
Same old Saints. Still shit! 

[kjurwi]

If we are going to hoof it long, and i don't mind that we do, we need to swap Archer for a bigger forward like Stewart or Downes.

[pingpong]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

Why, will it stop us launching the ball forward from deep?

Yes, release the full backs and allow Aziz and fellows to find more central space and more attacking support.

As it is, fellows and Aziz are just getting trapped and/or chasing back.

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, egg said:

Can't believe that's a serious call. Azaz is the only one moving and offering an option. 

He is, but we won’t find him with no midfield, and Still isn’t going to take one of the wingers off and rip up the tactics. Not Finn’s fault we are playing like 25/26 Cheltenham Town (and that is really, really bad!).

Their full backs are weakness, one booked and one patched up/dazed, win central midfield and release Fellows and Fraser to go right at them. Fraser has dominated Swanson as much as Murphy has Mads, but they’ve made far more effort to play him in down the side. 

Edited 14 September, 2025 by Gloucester Saint

[die Mannyschaft]

Utter rubbish worse than Russell Martin.  Should be 4 down. Saints are really bad. Can't pass, no creativity, getting cutcdown by runners too easy. Don't think players look bothered.

[LGTL]

That, was fucking terrible. The ONLY saving grace is that it’s 0-0. We have to get further up the pitch, they’re pressing us so high that it’s a long ball every single time, just gifting them back possession. Horrible. But 0-0.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, Chez said:

We are simply unable to pass the ball through the lines - leading to use passing across the back line. Azaz needs to work much much harder to be available, as do the two wingers. Might open up second half a little as they tire. Hopefully. 

Got to stop the ball to Murphy. He's the stand out player. 

This times one thousand.

[tdmickey3]

Just sort it out Still….

A defeat is completely unacceptable, it’s not an option

[Lighthouse]

5 minutes ago, BotleySaint said:

The hangover from Russball is still there. Way too much passing it backwards and sideways. The few times we went forward was mostly lumping it long to no effect. If we keep it down, that's when we've created chances. 

I get that a lot of people are still obsessed with Russell bloody Martin but love him or hate him, that was the least ‘Russball’ 45 minutes of football I’ve ever seen. Which game are you watching?

[saintant]

Just now, die Mannyschaft said:

Utter rubbish worse than Russell Martin.  Should be 4 down. Saints are really bad. Can't pass, no creativity, getting cutcdown by runners too easy. Don't think players look bothered.

Behave! It's bad but not that bad.

[Wade Garrett]

Need to start playing through midfield instead of over it.  One or two need to take responsibility and play on the half-turn in our half.

They are brilliantly organised.  Time for Still to earn his money.