Saints v Skates - Sunday 14th Sept 12pm

[saintant]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

I was about to agree with that line-up but then I thought: why would Still revert to 4 at the back when the majority of the starting 11 is utilising non-newbies, given he's been reluctant to do so up to now...? I'm also leaning towards a starting 11 that doesn't give too many of the newbies their debut in such a 'volatile' game but, logically, that would probably mean sticking to the 3/5 at the back formation we've deployed this far, which nobody likes.... Decisions, decisions....!

No five at the back thanks - horrible formation.

[bpsaint]

53 minutes ago, Saints-1994 said:

Was born in London, and spent early years at QPR, so would assume other than being around it since 12 there most likely isn’t any family connection as ‘supporters’. 
 

They’ll have more local lads around their camp as players, Swift, Chaplin and Pack (injured). We’ve got more in the coaching set up Lallana, Surman and McQueen all in the club. Plus would always back Franny and Le Tiss to let ‘em know exactly how much it matters. They both seem to be in around the squad quite a lot. Media team asking specific questions in interviews to the newbies suggest it’s not going under the radar. 

Cap’n Jack has been around long enough to make the squad aware how important this game is to everyone connected to the club.

This is actually the one game I won’t mind seeing his name in the starting XI, he’ll play with his heart on his sleeve, and hopefully if he does get a red card for snapping one of them in half he does it in the 90th minute of a 4-0 home win.

[Gloucester Saint]

To think if we’d have not had two players sent off at Carrow in the 1992 QF, beaten Sunderland in the SF (hardly a given with Branfoot but might have been a better opponent than a talented Norwich who could be unsettled by direct football) and the Skates win their penalty shoot out v Liverpool it could have been a mayhem FA Cup Final.

That was one of their best teams since the 1940s though, we were on the decline under Branfoot. Wouldn’t have been confident even though they were a division below.

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

 

Fact less Allen being a dick again, there to watch England not Pompey.

[Convict Colony]

18 minutes ago, saintant said:

No five at the back thanks - horrible formation.

agree he has the players now he has to play for wins and get men in midfield.

Edited September 2 by Convict Colony

[chivvy]

4231 is not a radical new formation they all know how to play it..

There really is no need to play 5 at the anymore.. 

[AlexLaw76]

21 minutes ago, chivvy said:

4231 is not a radical new formation they all know how to play it..

There really is no need to play 5 at the anymore.. 

Exactly, and the vast majority of the squad are here and training.

[santolijador]

I worry that Norwich played a 3 at the back and won against them earlier in the season, and that WS has seen that 

[Patches O Houlihan]

 

McCarthy

Bertrand

Yoshida

Bednarek

Cedrick

Romeu

Højbjerg

Ward-Prowse

Michael Obefemi > Redmond

Che Adams 

Danny Ings

Is there an argument for starting McCarthy - he made some good saves.

With so many newbies I'm glad that this is a home game so we don't have to bed them in at that shit hole

[LiberalCommunist]

We can be hero's, just for one day....................

 

[skintsaint]

38 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

 

McCarthy

Bertrand

Yoshida

Bednarek

Cedrick

Romeu

Højbjerg

Ward-Prowse

Michael Obefemi > Redmond

Che Adams 

Danny Ings

Is there an argument for starting McCarthy - he made some good saves.

With so many newbies I'm glad that this is a home game so we don't have to bed them in at that shit hole

Will be the same, they will come out 100mph, we need to stifle it/work hard then let the quality come out.

[Patches O Houlihan]

10 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Will be the same, they will come out 100mph, we need to stifle it/work hard then let the quality come out.

Watching that game back - we do really miss having a Romeu

[trousers]

55 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Is there an argument for starting McCarthy

There's no argument as far as I'm concerned...

[Mixedkebab]

The crowd are massive in this, will be so depressing if people stand there quietly, even if we do happen to go behind.

If we can conjure up a WBA play off style atmosphere despite the early Sunday KO it will help- any nerves or negativity will fuck with these players minds.

Can’t wait for this, one of the occasions that makes all the tedious shit of the last few years worthwhile if we beat these bullshitting cunts.

 

[Chris cooper]

Is there any pubs open before ko .. anywhere in town ? .. The Broadway in Portswood is the only pub on the scum Grapevine ! … anyone know of any other juicers open early ? 

[warsash saint]

Any plans before the game like WBA season before last?

Would be great to welcome the P*mpey players bus up to the stadium with a mass of red flares again 😉

Edited September 2 by warsash saint

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

8 hours ago, warsash saint said:

Any plans before the game like WBA season before last?

Would be great to welcome the P*mpey players bus up to the stadium with a mass of red flares again 😉

I assumed this would certainly be attempted but the OB are going to need some convincing unless they’re bringing the skate coaches in over the Itchen Bridge. Even then they may put measures in place to prevent it.

We’ll be getting the same when we go down there in the reverse fixture so…carry on.

[Pamplemousse]

37 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I assumed this would certainly be attempted but the OB are going to need some convincing unless they’re bringing the skate coaches in over the Itchen Bridge. Even then they may put measures in place to prevent it.

We’ll be getting the same when we go down there in the reverse fixture so…carry on.

Supposedly the coaches are being taken down the M271 from Nursling 

https://x.com/Connor__Reed/status/1961727580047835578

[Mattio]

10 hours ago, Chris cooper said:

Is there any pubs open before ko .. anywhere in town ? .. The Broadway in Portswood is the only pub on the scum Grapevine ! … anyone know of any other juicers open early ? 

Giddy Bridge usually opens at 8am, have they been told to close for the match?

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I assumed this would certainly be attempted but the OB are going to need some convincing unless they’re bringing the skate coaches in over the Itchen Bridge. Even then they may put measures in place to prevent it.

We’ll be getting the same when we go down there in the reverse fixture so…carry on.

Saints players usually arrive in their cars roughly 3 hours before kick off , perhaps this one will be different and they'll bring them in one group on a coach, will be an early start! 

[tdmickey3]

2 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I assumed this would certainly be attempted but the OB are going to need some convincing unless they’re bringing the skate coaches in over the Itchen Bridge. Even then they may put measures in place to prevent it.

We’ll be getting the same when we go down there in the reverse fixture so…carry on.

Which ever way they come in, you will be able to smell the stench long before they arrive 

[Chris cooper]

1 hour ago, Mattio said:

Giddy Bridge usually opens at 8am, have they been told to close for the match?

Yes ! No pubs open in town .. even all the Wetherspoons 

[EssEffCee]

2 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I assumed this would certainly be attempted but the OB are going to need some convincing unless they’re bringing the skate coaches in over the Itchen Bridge. Even then they may put measures in place to prevent it.

We’ll be getting the same when we go down there in the reverse fixture so…carry on.

Surely nothing the old bill can do if enough people turn up?

It's not my bag and I was one of the people who mocked it beforehand but theres no doubt it set the tone for the match atmosphere wise and I think it'd be good for this game.

Cans and pyro at Ted Bates statue 9am.

[EssEffCee]

6 minutes ago, Chris cooper said:

Yes ! No pubs open in town .. even all the Wetherspoons 

Are you sure? Pretty sure pubs opened last time with the bubble.

[Chris cooper]

9 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Are you sure? Pretty sure pubs opened last time with the bubble.

I stand corrected.. I just rang the giddy bridge & they are open .. he reckons all other establishments will be as normal ..sorry guys ignore previous post then ! Jungle drums over here in Fawley refinery suggested no pubs open before game ! Apologies!

[benjii]

15 hours ago, chivvy said:

4231 is not a radical new formation they all know how to play it..

There really is no need to play 5 at the anymore.. 

There was no need in the first place. 

[benjii]

I'd pick:

Macca

Mads THB Stevo Manning

Charles Jander

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Stewart

[Patches O Houlihan]

7 minutes ago, benjii said:

I'd pick:

Macca

Mads THB Stevo Manning

Charles Jander

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Stewart

This looks good to me. With Archer & Scienza coming on for the last 25 mins or so when they are too tired to kick our players up in the air any more.

[Chez]

The Sunday early kick off brings back bad memories for me of the 1988 game, but I suppose we exercised that ghost when we beat them 3-0 in 2003 (another Sunday game). As always I am a little nervous. If the 2012 promotion wining side can fail to beat a pretty shite Pompey side twice, then it's far from certain this lot will prevail. However, I am not too concerned about players freezing on a `big, no massive derby stage'. The likes of Downes, Manning, Fellows and Charles have all experienced this type of game before. I suspect only Fellows will get a start out of the new boys.

 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Chris cooper said:

I stand corrected.. I just rang the giddy bridge & they are open .. he reckons all other establishments will be as normal ..sorry guys ignore previous post then ! Jungle drums over here in Fawley refinery suggested no pubs open before game ! Apologies!

Asked in a couple of pubs after Stoke game and all saying plan to open early so shouldn't be a problem in town. 

Not sure on the fanzones 

[revolution saint]

43 minutes ago, benjii said:

I'd pick:

Macca

Mads THB Stevo Manning

Charles Jander

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Stewart

I'd probably swap Downes for Jander but that's only because I haven't seen Jander play.  Other than that I'd go for the same.

[Chez]

51 minutes ago, benjii said:

I'd pick:

Macca

Mads THB Stevo Manning

Charles Jander

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Stewart

Baz and Downes will start, and possibly Archer too (although I also think Stewart/Downs might hold the ball up better), but if we want to include Fellows and Azaz from the start, we'd need to got to four at the back. What a game to change.

[die Mannyschaft]

17 hours ago, bpsaint said:

Cap’n Jack has been around long enough to make the squad aware how important this game is to everyone connected to the club.

This is actually the one game I won’t mind seeing his name in the starting XI, he’ll play with his heart on his sleeve, and hopefully if he does get a red card for snapping one of them in half he does it in the 90th minute of a 4-0 home win.

Agree JS will up for the game and he can get stuck in which players didn't do last season. I am concerned that all the new/non Saints connected players won't be that interested as in 'its a derby game'. It will be approached as a leaque game and not a win at all costs game.

 

[die Mannyschaft]

17 hours ago, saintant said:

No five at the back thanks - horrible formation.

5 at back signals to the opponents we are setting for a draw.

[Whitey Grandad]

Just now, die Mannyschaft said:

5 at back signals to the opponents we are setting for a draw.

At best.

[gio1saints]

I think the key factor in the back 5 back 4 debate is that we now have better full backs and wingers. The upgrade in quality from before to now is massive. It means we can play a higher quality back four than previously available - and with higher quality attackers than previously available. 
 

Having better defensive full backs in particular allows us to imbue our new and better offensive wingers/attackers with more licence to do what they are best at-attack and score. We don’t have to keep telling them about defensive responsibilities shit so much. 
 

I Expect to see a back four v Pompey accordingly. 

[benjii]

I left Downes out in case he needs a poo.

[ecuk268]

9 minutes ago, benjii said:

I left Downes out in case he needs a poo.

It didn't stop Jason Puncheon.

 

[Midfield_General]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

The Sunday early kick off brings back bad memories for me of the 1988 game, but I suppose we exercised that ghost when we beat them 3-0 in 2003 (another Sunday game). As always I am a little nervous. If the 2012 promotion wining side can fail to beat a pretty shite Pompey side twice, then it's far from certain this lot will prevail. However, I am not too concerned about players freezing on a `big, no massive derby stage'. The likes of Downes, Manning, Fellows and Charles have all experienced this type of game before. I suspect only Fellows will get a start out of the new boys.

 

I'd be amazed if Azaz doesn't start

[gio1saints]

With neither Mads nor Jelert in the Danish squad and Ryan Manning away with Ireland plus Bree andTaylor gone plusWelington injured there will be lots of time for Will to practise a flat back four with those two newbies as the full backs ahead of pompey..

[Patches O Houlihan]

27 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

With neither Mads nor Jelert in the Danish squad and Ryan Manning away with Ireland plus Bree andTaylor gone plusWelington injured there will be lots of time for Will to practise a flat back four with those two newbies as the full backs ahead of pompey..

...and Manning was starting behind Welington at the start of the season 

[Jack]

8 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

...and Manning was starting behind Welington at the start of the season 

Really hoping Jelert is good enough to come in and replace Manning as a starter. He’s decent enough if you’re well in front or chasing the game and need a goal, but quite likely to be the reason you were chasing the game in the first place

[trousers]

One good thing about the timing of this game is PCFC won't have a clue what our formation and starting 11 will be either

[Football Special]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

One good thing about the timing of this game is PCFC won't have a clue what our formation and starting 11 will be either

PCFC approach seems to be defend first, grind out points scoring goals from set pieces, their two wins both coming as 1-0 scoreline, well drilled back line. I think they'll approach game against us in the same way regardless of our formation 

[LGTL]

41 minutes ago, Football Special said:

PCFC approach seems to be defend first, grind out points scoring goals from set pieces, their two wins both coming as 1-0 scoreline, well drilled back line. I think they'll approach game against us in the same way regardless of our formation 

Agree. They’ll sit back and let us have plenty of the ball, then try to hit us on the break. An early goal or two would be lovely to make them try and come out and play. 

I’m not sure I’d fancy it being 0-0 with 20 left though. 

Edited September 3 by LGTL

[BARCELONASAINT]

This is one of those horrible games where we as Saints fans have everything to lose and only bragging rights to gain.

The TV and the pundits will be hoping for an upset and the Pompey fans will be hoping for an upset and will be thinking they are playing us at a good time. A team badly scarred from being relegated, barely up and running this season with some very questionable performances and players that have no appetite for a fight.

Now i would have said all of that is true BUT the close of the transfer window changed something IMHO. We have shipped out so much dead wood and those with no appetite and have replaced them with very decent players not affected by last season.

We should beat Pompey and we should beat them easily, our squad is far better than the tin pot lot down the road. We just have to be mentally ready for this one! 

[Football Special]

28 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

This is one of those horrible games where we as Saints fans have everything to lose and only bragging rights to gain.

The TV and the pundits will be hoping for an upset and the Pompey fans will be hoping for an upset and will be thinking they are playing us at a good time. A team badly scarred from being relegated, barely up and running this season with some very questionable performances and players that have no appetite for a fight.

Now i would have said all of that is true BUT the close of the transfer window changed something IMHO. We have shipped out so much dead wood and those with no appetite and have replaced them with very decent players not affected by last season.

We should beat Pompey and we should beat them easily, our squad is far better than the tin pot lot down the road. We just have to be mentally ready for this one! 

An upset? It's not a cup tie, we're in the same division and they're above us in the league, to a neutral it would hardly be classed as an upset. 

[egg]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

An upset? It's not a cup tie, we're in the same division and they're above us in the league, to a neutral it would hardly be classed as an upset. 

I dunno, I'll be upset if they beat us. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

17 minutes ago, Football Special said:

An upset? It's not a cup tie, we're in the same division and they're above us in the league, to a neutral it would hardly be classed as an upset. 

Really, you would not see it as an upset if Saints with the spending power we have just shown lost to that Tin Pot lot down the road??

[Football Special]

10 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

Really, you would not see it as an upset if Saints with the spending power we have just shown lost to that Tin Pot lot down the road??

We really do need to drop this complacent arrogance about how good our squad is until they've started to show it and actually look like a balanced team, having sat through hours of unbelievably shit football in the last 12 months, including this season,  it would not surprise me at all if we did not win.