Saints v Skates - Sunday 14th Sept 12pm

[gio1saints]

2 hours ago, goodymatt said:

I very much much doubt Will Still leaves Lens to drop down from a top Euro league to come and work in an environment where he can’t even select the formation. 

The wingers we had were:

Edozie - was leaving

Sulemana - left straight away

Dibling - knew he leaving throughout 

Fraser - redemption arc

Robinson - kid breaking through

Armstrong - inside forward

BBD - inside forward and leaving.

At the same time we had lots of CB options and full backs suited to WB roles.

It’s clear to me that Will thought, there’s lots of change, lots of uncertainty, let’s play 5 and try and edge the games during this period. He’s tried to move on from those players not expected to be here, rather than rely on them. Frustratingly it didn’t prove as successful as we all want/expect and we have dropped some points. 

Now the window is closed and we have motivated wide players. Let’s see if he changes. 

If he plays a 5 tomorrow it’s because it’s a derby and the international break means we’ve not had enough time to get everyone on the same page. Not because Rasmus is picking the formation and lineup.

At last common sense not insane conspiracy theory paranoia! 
 

Like it or hate it, with the players he had, the 3CB’s solution was what he thought gave him best chance of building a reasonable start to the season - certainly until all the transfer stuff calmed down. Anyone thinks he was TOLD to play that way by senior people and just complied like a nodding dog needs to check that their tinfoil hat hasn’t slipped off.  🤡
 

IF he persists with the system there IS a defendable argument for it tomorrow. 
 

Pkaying the cynic card here - if he plays 3cb and we draw or lose he can always revert to his supposed “favoured” approach with a back four next match and say- well that experiment has not worked. If he plays a back four though, and we draw or lose, he won’t get too many saints fans going yeah good effort but back 3 is the way to go- so he’s shafted both ways but marginally less so by continuing with a back three- certainly for start of the match and then perhaps shift it second half. 
 

Many fans want to see the four at back under the impression it’s more attacking - I thinks that’s arguable - I think four at the back is more solid defensively -but not necessarily more attacking so be careful what you wish for! 

Edited 4 hours ago by gio1saints

[die Mannyschaft]

1 minute ago, IFHP said:

Why would you “ not get away with it”?

Got told to take it off by police once on train to Fratton and once off tge bubble coach. They will confiscate next time. Got an asbo ticket once !!

[Paul_B]

21 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

At last common sense not insane conspiracy theory paranoia! 
 

Like it or hate it, with the players he had, the 3CB’s solution was what he thought gave him best chance of building a reasonable start to the season - certainly until all the transfer stuff calmed down. Anyone thinks he was TOLD to play that way by senior people and just complied like a nodding dog needs to check that their tinfoil hat hasn’t slipped off.  🤡
 

IF he persists with the system there IS a defendable argument for it tomorrow. 
 

Pkaying the cynic card here - if he plays 3cb and we draw or lose he can always revert to his supposed “favoured” approach with a back four next match and say- well that experiment has not worked. If he plays a back four though, and we draw or lose, he won’t get too many saints fans going yeah good effort but back 3 is the way to go- so he’s shafted both ways but marginally less so by continuing with a back three- certainly for start of the match and then perhaps shift it second half. 
 

Many fans want to see the four at back under the impression it’s more attacking - I thinks that’s arguable - I think four at the back is more solid defensively -but not necessarily more attacking so be careful what you wish for! 

No, a back 3 tomorrow is in no way defendable.

[gio1saints]

2 minutes ago, Paul_B said:

No, a back 3 tomorrow is in no way defendable.

So definitive like you have the answer to everything and know all details about the squad how they trained their fitness etc. You don’t. There’s plenty reasons why he might do that. I’m not in favour myself - but to say it’s indefensible is exaggeration. Unless it’s  just to you personally otherwise- yes I can see the reasons why he @ might@ keep the back three. I don’t think he will- but there’s reasons alright. 

[Graffito]

1 hour ago, Verbal said:

What have you found?

A wig.

[Charlie Wayman]

48 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

At last common sense not insane conspiracy theory paranoia! 
 

Like it or hate it, with the players he had, the 3CB’s solution was what he thought gave him best chance of building a reasonable start to the season - certainly until all the transfer stuff calmed down. Anyone thinks he was TOLD to play that way by senior people and just complied like a nodding dog needs to check that their tinfoil hat hasn’t slipped off.  🤡
 

IF he persists with the system there IS a defendable argument for it tomorrow. 
 

Pkaying the cynic card here - if he plays 3cb and we draw or lose he can always revert to his supposed “favoured” approach with a back four next match and say- well that experiment has not worked. If he plays a back four though, and we draw or lose, he won’t get too many saints fans going yeah good effort but back 3 is the way to go- so he’s shafted both ways but marginally less so by continuing with a back three- certainly for start of the match and then perhaps shift it second half. 
 

Many fans want to see the four at back under the impression it’s more attacking - I thinks that’s arguable - I think four at the back is more solid defensively -but not necessarily more attacking so be careful what you wish for! 

Still will stick with what he knows best tomorrow simply because he has not had enough time with the new players and the full squad to integrate them into a functioning collective as he likes to call it. We'll probably line up as we did last time out with five at the back and maybe the new left back in place of Manning.

One or two of the newbies will be brought on after 60 mins to see what they can do in this physical league which they won't be used to. Don't expect miracles from them.

For me likely 0-0 or 1-1, probably the latter as Shoehorn will almost certainly concede a silly goal.

[revolution saint]

For all this talk of formations, I think it'll come down to determination, passion, guts, hard work and skill.  Whatever team or formation we put out - we're better than Pompey in  every department.  Yeah, tactics play a part but the squad we have is miles better than theirs - what did we spend 48M compared to their 2M?  Everything I've seen, their fans are bricking it that they might get thrashed so let's give them that nightmare. 

[egg]

45 minutes ago, Paul_B said:

No, a back 3 tomorrow is in no way defendable.

Of course it is. We've had an international break and no opportunity to work, as a group, on a new shape. 

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

I dont know how old you are but football nearly died in the late 70's early 80's due to crowd violence in and around the stadia. Now famillies can go with young kids and be 99% sure they will be safe, Im myself am going with my daughter and grand daughter, if there was liberal rules I doubt I would take them (even though I couldnt stop them as they are hardenedcommitted fans )

If you really believe that you can trust fans with such rivalry to mix and not have large disturbances, Iam amazed. Yes all the Pompey fans I know are sound as aa pound and you can have good banter, but when the game comes its bitter. 

Football violence now is nothing like the 70s and 80s though. Most trouble now is away from stadiums and generally easy enough to avoid if you wish to.

I didn't see any large disturbances at Fratton in 2019 and that was a midweek game. Even in 2010 I didn't see any of the issues on Brittania Road and from second hand accounts from friends it wasn't what I'd call a large scale disturbance. 

How come other police forces around the country can handle it without the bubble? It's not been done for recent Tyne Wear games in the league and they got rid of it for Blackburn Burnley too.

[EssEffCee]

30 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Still will stick with what he knows best tomorrow simply because he has not had enough time with the new players and the full squad to integrate them into a functioning collective as he likes to call it. We'll probably line up as we did last time out with five at the back and maybe the new left back in place of Manning.

One or two of the newbies will be brought on after 60 mins to see what they can do in this physical league which they won't be used to. Don't expect miracles from them.

For me likely 0-0 or 1-1, probably the latter as Shoehorn will almost certainly concede a silly goal.

I'd be disappointed if Fellows doesn't start. No reason at all that he can't come straight into the team.

[Matthew Le God]

33 minutes ago, egg said:

Of course it is. We've had an international break and no opportunity to work, as a group, on a new shape. 

Roughly two thirds of the squad were here for the full two weeks. Plus the internationals will have had 3 or 4 days training with us.

They have also switched to 4 man defenses late in games this season. So it won't be something they've only had 2 weeks working on.

Edited 2 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[lambtiss]

1 hour ago, die Mannyschaft said:

4 at back is more reliable as players don't get out of position as much or shouldn't. The problem Saints have is the slow style of play they are ground anyone. Combine very slow game plan with 3 at back or even 5 and you get the usual opposition just cut through or run un marked. 4-4-2 allows cover in front and behind the two lines of 4. Its simple and easy to speak to thd person next to you to go forward I'll cover or back, sideways. 

It maybe the new players have the pace needed for 3 of 5 at back. But we won't see this in action until they are in team. 

I don't think Saints have any idea what system to use of which player to play where and what role. Which is why teams have just found it easy to play through or long ball us.

Let's hope Saints know what their doing tomorrow. 

I think our slow buildup explains why such a high percentage of our goals have come from defenders and set pieces.

By the time we get to the opposition box the other team usually have 11 men behind the ball with no space in the box. That makes it very hard for any attacker.

This will be especially true at home in the Championship where teams will often sit back and allow a team to slip into tippy happy mode.

This is where players that can beat a man/ dribble/ break the lines of defence are going to be critical to our success. Hopefully, the new faces can bring that to our game.

[goodymatt]

23 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Roughly two thirds of the squad were here for the full two weeks. Plus the internationals will have had 3 or 4 days training with us.

It is likely that Bazunu, Manning, Azaz, and Charles will all start. The Irish lads coming back the latest (except Downs). New signing Scienza didn’t train until Tuesday and Downs wasn’t even back until Friday. 

Lots of new players in the building, huge game, you can see why a conservative approach to change might be taken. Personally I want to see a back 4, hopefully we do, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t some logic in sticking for this game.

My team would be:

Baz

Mads THB Stevo Manning 

Charles Downs

Fellows Azaz Fraser

Archer

Seems to be a popular lineup choice and it’s also what the Echo have predicted.

[OldNick]

30 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Football violence now is nothing like the 70s and 80s though. Most trouble now is away from stadiums and generally easy enough to avoid if you wish to.

I didn't see any large disturbances at Fratton in 2019 and that was a midweek game. Even in 2010 I didn't see any of the issues on Brittania Road and from second hand accounts from friends it wasn't what I'd call a large scale disturbance. 

How come other police forces around the country can handle it without the bubble? It's not been done for recent Tyne Wear games in the league and they got rid of it for Blackburn Burnley too.

there was a Police escort to the ground with the fans completely segregated. Ohh the Brittania road one was nothing much was it? All those who went inside for a stretch may have a different opinion.

I was at Fratton Park in 84 and there was little police presence when we were waiting for our coach near the station, fans were mixed and there was lots of scraps. Im sure if you want to test how peaceful it would be, why not hang around near the Pompey coaches on Sunday, no  doubt they give you flowers 

[LGTL]

In the latest police statement about being naughty, they insisted the bubble was a choice of both clubs rather than the police. Struggle to believe that. 

Seems pathetic that they can’t cope with a non-bubble really. Only one left in the country isn’t it?

[Turkish]

I got a feeling Damion Downs is going to score tomorrow 

[sfc4prem]

6 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I got a feeling Damion Downs is going to score tomorrow 

Be a fucking great way to score your first league goal. The noise will be electric when we score tomorrow, so if he bags one his confidence will fucking sky rocket.

[OldNick]

13 minutes ago, LGTL said:

In the latest police statement about being naughty, they insisted the bubble was a choice of both clubs rather than the police. Struggle to believe that. 

Seems pathetic that they can’t cope with a non-bubble really. Only one left in the country isn’t it?

Do they let Millwall v WHU mix, or Celtic Rangers, Brum V Newcastle

[Chris cooper]

2 hours ago, Paul_B said:

No, a back 3 tomorrow is in no way defendable.

You can take a horse to water mate but you can’t make it drink !

[Mixedkebab]

39 minutes ago, LGTL said:

In the latest police statement about being naughty, they insisted the bubble was a choice of both clubs rather than the police. Struggle to believe that. 

Seems pathetic that they can’t cope with a non-bubble really. Only one left in the country isn’t it?

Don’t they still have it for Cardiff and Swansea?

[Pamplemousse]

Looks like the weather won't be as bad as forecast. Think the rain and strong winds might come in around the second half.

[Matthew Le God]

8 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Looks like the weather won't be as bad as forecast. Think the rain and strong winds might come in around the second half.

BBC say light rain and 15 mph winds for the 2nd half. So not particularly windy or wet.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Matthew Le God

[Pamplemousse]

18 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

BBC say light rain and 15 mph winds for the 2nd half. So not particularly windy or wet.

 

Stronger winds and wetter than the start of the match though, that was the point I was making.

[egg]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Roughly two thirds of the squad were here for the full two weeks. Plus the internationals will have had 3 or 4 days training with us.

They have also switched to 4 man defenses late in games this season. So it won't be something they've only had 2 weeks working on.

We need the likely starting team working the shape, not just those left behind. 

The point is, him playing a 3 tomorrow is not indefensible. Personally, I think it's understandable. 

[LGTL]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

Do they let Millwall v WHU mix, or Celtic Rangers, Brum V Newcastle

No, but none of those have a bubble. I’m not advocating zero segregation. But no reason they can’t allow train travel and an escort to the ground, but they just can’t be arsed to police it. 

[bpsaint]

33 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

BBC say light rain and 15 mph winds for the 2nd half. So not particularly windy or wet.

 

The forecast has shifted a long way over the past few days, it was looking like torrential rain and 40mph wind all morning and during the game at one point.

With regards to the bubble, I could see an argument that if we end up playing each other more regularly we potentially drop it. The big gaps between our matches seems to make things a bit spicier, perhaps that’s how other clubs manage to get away with no bubble.

Edited 40 minutes ago by bpsaint

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

there was a Police escort to the ground with the fans completely segregated. Ohh the Brittania road one was nothing much was it? All those who went inside for a stretch may have a different opinion.

I was at Fratton Park in 84 and there was little police presence when we were waiting for our coach near the station, fans were mixed and there was lots of scraps. Im sure if you want to test how peaceful it would be, why not hang around near the Pompey coaches on Sunday, no  doubt they give you flowers 

Yeah even without the bubble fans will still be segregated as you say so not sure why you keep talking about fans 'mixing' as they don't regardless of whether the bubble is in place or not.

Yeah people went to jail for 2010 but that doesn't mean there was large disturbances akin to the 70s/80s. Football fans often get prison sentences for things which wouldn't get one in a different environment.

I don't want to mix with the skates at these games. But when going away I would like to be able to make my own way there and not have the whole day take as long as if I was going to an away day in Brum.

 

 

[EssEffCee]

1 hour ago, LGTL said:

In the latest police statement about being naughty, they insisted the bubble was a choice of both clubs rather than the police. Struggle to believe that. 

Seems pathetic that they can’t cope with a non-bubble really. Only one left in the country isn’t it?

Swansea Cardiff has it still. NE had it for the recent cup game with the bigger allocation but haven't for years with league games. They sacked it off for East Lancs last season too.