Saints 1-1 Boro - Match Thread

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

Wood is your archetypal championship centre back isn’t he? 
 

 

He's been very solid every time I've seen him play this season.

Overall the defence looks so much more comfortable so far today.

[Colinjb]

Sounds like a Saints team being aggressive and cohesive. 

I don't believe it.

[Saint NL]

Just now, gio1saints said:

Nice smasher challenge by Quarsie! 

Enjoyed that. Need more of it

[RedArmy]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

He's been very solid every time I've seen him play this season.

Overall the defence looks so much more comfortable so far today.

Brings a calmness. A big no nonsense unit of a centre back. 

[gio1saints]

We are starting to be physically dominant. 

[RedArmy]

Just now, RedArmy said:

Brings a calmness. A big no nonsense unit of a centre back. 

Case in point. Fantastic from wood 

[trousers]

Great defending there from Wood... Against Stephens or THB the Boro forward is through on goal

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

Brings a calmness. A big no nonsense unit of a centre back. 

That was brilliant just now. Just too strong for the Boro player. We've really missed that in recent times.

[Saint NL]

There's definitely a much more physical element to our game

[gio1saints]

Another corner to saints 

[bpsaint]

Chalk and cheese from last week this, decent solid performance. Would hook Azaz at half time.

[trousers]

Armstrong should have a go himself there... 

[Saint NL]

This is the best team so far in the division and we've been better than them all over the park.

A bit more composure from our strikers and we'd be winning this

[macca155]

Superb defending from Wood thete, the sort of physical presence we've needed for a long time.

[Totton Saint]

Just now, Saint NL said:

There's definitely a much more physical element to our game

makes one wonder why stills has left it so long to bring in these changes.

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

There's definitely a much more physical element to our game

 

[hypochondriac]

Dare I say it but to my eye that was our best half of the season. Shame we didn't score but loads of positives.

[RedArmy]

Terrible header from Quarshie 

[trousers]

Quarshie should do better with that header.

0-0 HT

[SouSaint]

Azaz is absolutely shite. Well done SR. 

[Saint NL]

Quarshie should be burying that.

Half time

[Sheaf Saint]

Quarshie just stretching too much to get to that header. Great chance but we reeeeeally need to bury one of these soon.

[AlexLaw76]

Oh ffs, Quarshie has to get that on target.

HT

Much the better side. Charles and Jander good. Azaz decent (bar the shot), Armstrong decent. Defence looks robust.

They are a threat on the break largely due to us pushing so high. Also, they have defended very well to be fair

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, SouSaint said:

Azaz is absolutely shite. Well done SR. 

He has been decent, bar that shot

[macca155]

Just now, SouSaint said:

Azaz is absolutely shite. Well done SR. 

He's playing his old team, does weird things to players sometimes

[trousers]

 

Edited 27 September, 2025 by trousers

[sockeye]

A solid first half of league football! That's a marked improvement. The physicality and energy is there now. Saints just need to be clinical and we can win this. I've been impressed with Wood, Armstrong, Jander and Charles.

Edited 27 September, 2025 by sockeye

[Ex Lion Tamer]

Feels like this season's team is starting to come together

Edited 27 September, 2025 by Ex Lion Tamer

[Obstacle1]

Defence looks a lot better without dumb and dumber but my God can anyone in this team fucking score? So little composure in front of goal.

I think the best finishers at the club are probably Archer and Fraser.

[Mr Brightside]

Decent first half, should be 2 up. Let’s hope we build on this 2nd half. 
Azaz is not shite. 

[obelisk]

Quarshie should have buried that. Saints doing ok but chances going begging again.

[Toadhall Saint]

Good half with a bit more luck we’d be 2 up. Jander is class - makes everything look easy. 

[Wade Garrett]

Playing them off the park.  Need that goal though.

[SWLondon Saint]

CBs all looking good, good challenge by Edwards, Wood too strong and quick on that through ball, Quarshie following his man into midfield and great challenge when he tried to nick it past him and turn. Wood and Quarshie have recovery pace and it just makes so much of a difference.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

1 minute ago, Obstacle1 said:

Defence looks a lot better without dumb and dumber but my God can anyone in this team fucking score? So little composure in front of goal.

I think the best finishers at the club are probably Archer and Fraser.

Archer is our best striker and we should stick with him

[Saint Scott]

3 minutes ago, SouSaint said:

Azaz is absolutely shite. Well done SR. 

Give it a rest

Azaz was a quality player at Plymouth and Boro. He will come good, just needs time around a settled 11

[NewYorkSaint]

My big takeaway.  We're as good as they are...  (And showing signs now of getting better every game).  Just need a confident striker.   Azaz looking highly promising.

[SWLondon Saint]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

How on earth is that Azaz chance not a 'clear-cut chance'?! They don't come much better than that...

[obelisk]

All set up for 'boro to do what they'd done so often this season and nick it.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Saint Scott said:

Give it a rest

Azaz was a quality player at Plymouth and Boro. He will come good, just needs time around a settled 11

I think he has been decent today. That shot was terrible, but he is clearly good on the ball

[austsaint]

The back three  are looking solid and composed.  Armstrong, Jander, Charles and Fellows all lively and involved.   Less said about Azaz, the better.  Replace him with Scienza.

[Saint NL]

We're winning 2 out of 3 aerial duels, that's a big improvement.

Need to get Fellows on the ball more, he's very direct. 

I'm still not impressed by Stewart, he's won the ball back a few times, but not much else. 

 

[SNSUN]

Apologies for the lack of Prediction Wheel for today's game, I'm in the middle of running the Chelsea game at Fulham Broadway. Normal service will resume next week. 😁

[Scoobysaint]

So much better. The defence looks assured and can spray a pass about when they see one. The difference I think I in the midfield with Jansen. He get the ball and looks forward. I think it was him that got the ball just outside our box and sprinted up into their half before feeding Fellows. Much better than Flynn”The Wall” Downes, not because he is so hard to get round, more that’s the only pass he can produce.

[trousers]

When was the last time we took our chances in a first half that we dominated...?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Much better showing. Need a quick goal second half. 

[gio1saints]

3 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

CBs all looking good, good challenge by Edwards, Wood too strong and quick on that through ball, Quarshie following his man into midfield and great challenge when he tried to nick it past him and turn. Wood and Quarshie have recovery pace and it just makes so much of a difference.

Recovery pace very good point. 

[RedArmy]

Just now, trousers said:

When was the last time we took our chances in a first half that we dominated...?

Leeds away? 

[Toadhall Saint]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I think he has been decent today. That shot was terrible, but he is clearly good on the ball

Yep and he’s got about 3 of theirs marking him

[Saint Fan CaM]

Azaz obviously is going to divide opinion. Personally he’s not looking right to me - not at ease with his role, particularly in this match. I would get him off but who replaces him? Fraser could be a good shout….could Scienza play central?

[SWLondon Saint]

Obviously Archer and Scienza will come on for the last 20-30, looking for the rugby-style 'finisher' group.