Blackburn v Saints: Saturday 3pm

[Gloucester Saint]

If you’ve got a designated driver and want to drown your sorrows with dozens of cask ales and ciders I recommend the Bowland Food Hall in Clitheroe. Only 27 minutes north of Ewood Park. I reckon 40 on cask available. Plenty of food there as well.

 

Edited Wednesday at 18:43 by Gloucester Saint
Food

[Convict Colony]

more people need to post like this boss, top info bro

[Dr Who?]

My boss is a Blackburn fan and he says that they are a shambles and going down this season. If we lose to them, he says you must be in a mess. He says we will win 1-3 ha ha ha! Last time was a really exciting 0-0. I expect this again. 

[Turkish]

Absolutely buzzing for this one. I’m heading across after kids training so should be in Blackburn for 1pm. I’ve seen enough last few games to see it’s coming together and Saturday is the day our season starts

3-0 Saints, a dominant performance, Scienza to score first then Damion Downs to come on and score a brace to silence his critics COYR

[Osvaldorama]

We’ve slipped down another place as it stands. 

Currently in 18th so this is a real relegation six pointer now 😂

[Jack]

These are the sort of seasons that set you up for a decade or more of rotting in the middle of the Championship. At least if we lose this one we’ll have a proper relegation battle to get excited about 

[Challenger]

3 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

If you’ve got a designated driver and want to drown your sorrows with dozens of cask ales and ciders I recommend the Bowland Food Hall in Clitheroe. Only 27 minutes north of Ewood Park. I reckon 40 on cask available. Plenty of food there as well.

 

No thank you , I followed the advice on here regarding all the fabulous real ale pubs in Brizzle last night , thought I would try as many as I could . Got absolutely rat arsed, missed the game and couldn't find my way to the station afterwards .I can't remember much of the night only that it must of rained as my trousers got soaking wet .

Still a bit hungover, how did the game go ?

 

 

 

[Andrew Watson]

If we lose this we will deserve to go down. Years of Venkys has screwed Blackburn,much longer with SR and we will go the same way,sooner rather than later.

[Hamilton Saint]

On 21/10/2025 at 17:49, Badger said:

I’m going but think it might be a better afternoon looking for and counting the famous 4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire , than watching Saints. 

Just a day in the life of a Saints' fan. 

[SouSaint]

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

[HnycS]

6 minutes ago, SouSaint said:

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

Correct formation and players based on form and player capabilitiy from what I have see this season. Could they score in a brothel much more of a open question. Let's fucking hope so.

 

[benjii]

20 minutes ago, SouSaint said:

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

No, no, no!

We need 3 CBs and wingers playing out of position and two "10"s. 

System is working!

[benjii]

22 minutes ago, SouSaint said:

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

Yep, decent shout, although I'd pick Quarshie ahead of THB at the moment, if fit.

The key to that would be that Downes holds his position. He does like to get upfield, so he would need to curb that enthusiasm. What the club has been missing for years is a big African to shield the centre backs. 

Would also need Charles and Jander to link with the wingers so we aren't just pinging balls into the box for Armstrong, but I think they could do that.

It also allows for sitting deeper at times and springing a counter attack with proper wide forwards.

[Toussaint]

We are going to smash them 0-0. I have tickets, can’t wait. We could be on a one game unbeaten run by 5 o’clock Saturday, and…. and we could have 13 points, thus smashing last season’s points total before Christmas! 

[WALK DMC]

1 hour ago, SouSaint said:

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

Nice line-up. I believe that Mads (& Jellert) is injured, so I would go with Ronnie at RB. 

[egg]

On 22/10/2025 at 00:25, CSA96 said:

I'd go to 4-2-3-1 as I think the key to getting out of this rut is going to be getting Scienza, Fellows and Azaz on the pitch and in the final third at the same time. I hear the criticism of Azaz and some of it is pretty fair, but he has proven it with Boro and with Plymouth and has back to back double-digit seasons for goals and assists. We need to find a way to get him going and that's on the coach

We've committed £15m on him and don't have any other No. 10s in the squad, so he needs to bed in and find his feet quickly

So I'd go for...

McCarthy

Roerslev
Stephens
Wood
Manning

Charles
Downes/Jander

Fellows
Azaz
Scienza

Armstrong

-

Reasoning...

Defence: get your experienced heads in there, take Edwards out of the firing line now and keep Quarshie watching. THB can play instead of Stephens if you prefer but I think Jack gives you more leadership and personality (yes, I know...)

Midfield: I like Jander but his slack passing has cost us about three times now? Flynn is experienced and a bit more 'streetwise' in the Championship. Wouldn't drop Shea Charles, so it's up to you if you want Jander or Downes here

Forwards: Archer is a dead weight so sack him off, get Fellows and Scienza where they should be (out wide and running at the full backs) and put Arma up top because he's the only striker worth anything if the ball comes to his feet in the box or 1v1 (even if he can't lead the line well and it's not his best role)

Find a way to become more transitional when we're attacking. Get the ball into Azaz early and try and get Scienza, Fellows, Armstrong running into channels and beyond the defensive line

That's all I've got but it's what I'd do at this stage

That's pretty much where I'm at, although I feel better about Archer than that. 

When Azaz was playing, he wasn't getting the ball despite being in space, so we weren't getting anywhere. The 4231 would work better if Azaz had licence to drop a bit deeper to get on the ball, and the wide lads played slightly narrower with emphasis of runs inside than outside with aimless crosses.

It's mind boggling that Still can't get a tune out of this squad. 

[StrangelyBrown]

20 minutes ago, WALK DMC said:

Nice line-up. I believe that Mads (& Jellert) is injured, so I would go with Ronnie at RB. 

The scene is set for one of shoehorn's "if you think I'm shite as a centre back you ain't seen nothing yet" performances at right back...

[tdmickey3]

Surely we cant fuck this one up...can we?

We are 18th, with our squad......... 18th ffs

[sockeye]

The draws will continue until morale improves

[Zorba]

Big Mac.

10 defensive outfield players - No particular formation.

Park the bus.

Throw on 5 Strikers with 10 minutes to go when we’re 3-0 down.

If SR are looking in, can i have Will Still’s job when you sack him please.

We’re shit!

COYS!

[SW11_Saint]

On 21/10/2025 at 21:57, Willo of Whiteley said:

Expect the line up tombola to be in full flight for this game.

Can see Downes, Stephens, maybe every Quarshie reinstated into the team, because let’s face it, he definitely isn’t switching from three CBs.

I’d say Stephens & Downes are a must… need a bit of grit & leadership. 

[Zorba]

2 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

I’d say Stephens & Downes are a must… need a bit of shit & couldn’t-give-a-shit. 

fixed

[Saint NL]

We all know this squad can only perform for 30 mins per game, so we need to score 2 in that time. 

Seems a big ask, but eventually it'll happen. Just get Scienza and Armstrong to shoot on sight, hope for deflections/lucky bounces/OGs/anything.

[Zorba]

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

We all know this squad can only perform for 30 mins per game, so we need to score 2 in that time. 

Seems a big ask, but eventually it'll happen. Just get Scienza and Armstrong to shoot on sight, hope for deflections/lucky bounces/OGs/anything.

Sounds like it’s straight out of the Gao/SR playbook? Who needs a decent striker with tactics like this?!

[SW11_Saint]

On 21/10/2025 at 22:22, Wade Garrett said:

More 5 at the back from the insipid ginger idiot.  Probably another winless Saturday.

Absolutely criminal that Still can’t get more from that squad.

 

Criminal also that SR didn’t buy a recognised and effective Championship striker, and the strikers we do have are goddam awful… 

[SW11_Saint]

7 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

We all know this squad can only perform for 30 mins per game, so we need to score 2 in that time. 

Seems a big ask, but eventually it'll happen. Just get Scienza and Armstrong to shoot on sight, hope for deflections/lucky bounces/OGs/anything.

Armstrong gets about 1 in 5 shots on target, let alone with the requisite power…

[SW11_Saint]

15 minutes ago, Zorba said:

fixed

Amazing. Ever considered a career in satire? You’re wasted on here…

[Saint86]

13 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

If you’ve got a designated driver and want to drown your sorrows with dozens of cask ales and ciders I recommend the Bowland Food Hall in Clitheroe. Only 27 minutes north of Ewood Park. I reckon 40 on cask available. Plenty of food there as well.

 

Looks a great shout GS!

[Saint86]

3 hours ago, SouSaint said:

McCarthy

Mads - Wood - THB - Wellington

Charles - Downes - Jander

Fellows - Armstrong - Leo

That would be my line up. Personally feel we lack control in midfield with a 2. 

 

 

Almost there.

Drop one of downes or Jander and put the remaining one as CDM. Replace the other with Azaz in a floating creative CM role. Defenders are much of a muchness. 2 of THB/wood/Quarshie/Stephens basically - they all have a weakness in one way or another. I wouldn't drop Edwards personally, and wellington/manning are both fairly equald.

Our issue has been the lack of  CDM anchor - get that sorted and we'll stop being so wide open by balls into the space behind our midfield and we'll start grinding out wins.

[die Mannyschaft]

11 hours ago, Jack said:

These are the sort of seasons that set you up for a decade or more of rotting in the middle of the Championship. At least if we lose this one we’ll have a proper relegation battle to get excited about 

At least we cant go down with 12 points again.

[Zorba]

35 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Amazing. Ever considered a career in satire? You’re wasted on here…

Are you being sarcastic?

[benjii]

Blackburn home form is played 6, won 0, drew 1, lost 5.

Home win is a dead cert.

[SW11_Saint]

14 minutes ago, Zorba said:

Are you being sarcastic?

There you go again…

[BARCELONASAINT]

59 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

Amazing. Ever considered a career in satire? You’re wasted on here…

he's not wrong though is he!!

[Zorba]

8 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

There you go again…

Why do women always have to have the last word?

[Saint_clark]

13 hours ago, Jack said:

These are the sort of seasons that set you up for a decade or more of rotting in the middle of the Championship. At least if we lose this one we’ll have a proper relegation battle to get excited about 

It's worth remembering when we went down in 2005 we did nothing the first season then challenged for the playoffs the second, so it's not a guarantee you slip backwards if you don't immediately come back up. Once parachute payments stop it becomes a different matter though.

[richardc]

2 hours ago, Saint NL said:

We all know this squad can only perform for 30 mins per game, so we need to score 2 in that time. 

Seems a big ask, but eventually it'll happen. Just get Scienza and Armstrong to shoot on sight, hope for deflections/lucky bounces/OGs/anything.

Why dont we swap the usual 5 strikers on at the end of the game and have them on in the 30mins we are playing well - we could score a couple then bring on 5 defenders and hold on for the last hour - seems simple to me

[Turkish]

Sunday morning headlines in the Lancashire gazette

Blackburn Get A Beat Downs

Southamptons American superstar Damion Downs paid back a slice of his transfer fee with a magnificent brace to take the points back to st Mary’s 

Downs was unstoppable and showed why Maurico pochetino recommended him to the South coast giants whose season finally got on the runway with a five star performance 

a tactical masterclass form highly rated boss Will Still meant Blackburn were outclassed but it was the star quality of the US soccerballist Downs who put them to the sword 

[Wade Garrett]

3 hours ago, SW11_Saint said:

Criminal also that SR didn’t buy a recognised and effective Championship striker, and the strikers we do have are goddam awful… 

I understand that, but Still still wants a cross-heavy side when we have oompah-loompahs up front.

The formation and tactics need adapting.

[OneMrsWallace]

10 hours ago, Hamilton Saint said:

Just a day in the life of a Saints' fan. 

If things keep going the way they are we will all be able to count alot more than 4,000 holes in the stands at St. Mary's. 

[ally_uk]

https://ibb.co/zHZBYNLs

My line up and thought process.

Fuck the 5 at the back off.

Wellington on left, Roerslav / Gelart on right. 

Central mid of Charles and Jander with Azazz pushed up further and instructed to supply the through balls to wingers and Armstong.

Up top we have Adam Armstrong, why? Because he seems to be the only player capable of finishing.....

Fellows on right wing 

And Scienza on the left wing. 

Matsuki on the bench. 

 

 

[sockeye]

Central armstrong will never work

he’s better with a partner. Could azaz work, or robinson, even aribo?

 

think 442 is the best way forward personally.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Based on what Still and Charles said I believe he'll stick with the same formation and largely the same players and simply lay down the challenge of proving to themselves they can cut out the wastefulness at one end and gifts at the other.  If they mentally can't do it against poor opposition he's then given himself free reign to drop whomever he wants without anyone feeling aggrieved.

You could argue that ship has sailed but the players must sense it and it's time to find out who is going to dig in and who is not.  We have one of the biggest budgets in the league and the players have to start showing up.

[WALK DMC]

It's not just starting with the same formation that is the issue, it's the fact that he can't/won't change it during the game. Both Swansea and Bristol City could have utilised 4-2-3-1 or a variation of 4-4-2, when it was clear that we'd stopped creating in the 2nd half, but he was too slow or stubborn to react.   

 

Personally I'd like to see Azaz given more of a chance, he is the type of player who will be anonymous for much of the game but still come up with a goal and an assist. 

[Oh no Mick Mills]

Seems like there has been a proper tactical shift in both Prem (Brentford, Bournemouth)and now championship clubs as witnessed by the demise of our good selves, Leicester and Ipswich as examples of.. on paper "stronger"sides that are getting done week in week out by "lesser" teams who low block and quickly counterattack and Saints simply have no answer for it. 

I'm would expect Blackburn to use the same tactics. 

Can Still find a way to deal with this? 

[saintant]

33 minutes ago, Lallana's Left Peg said:

Based on what Still and Charles said I believe he'll stick with the same formation and largely the same players and simply lay down the challenge of proving to themselves they can cut out the wastefulness at one end and gifts at the other.  If they mentally can't do it against poor opposition he's then given himself free reign to drop whomever he wants without anyone feeling aggrieved.

You could argue that ship has sailed but the players must sense it and it's time to find out who is going to dig in and who is not.  We have one of the biggest budgets in the league and the players have to start showing up.

Having one of the biggest budgets means nothing if, as with us, it is in the hands of people who are clueless. Spors and SR have failed miserably to assemble a squad fit for purpose. They should have brought in a goalkeeper and a big centre forward plus, a big strong centre half with experience and a big strong midfield player. We shouldn't have signed Downs or Azaz and probably didn't need Fellows either so the money saved there could have gone towards a GK, CF and midfield destroyer. Bazunu, THB and Stephens should have been told to get their agents to sort out other clubs for them, that pays for a new centre back.  The building of our squad and recruitment of players is being handled by a bunch of amateurs who don't have a clue - they just collect players with no thought as to how they are going to fit together.

[Wade Garrett]

2 hours ago, Lallana's Left Peg said:

Based on what Still and Charles said I believe he'll stick with the same formation and largely the same players and simply lay down the challenge of proving to themselves they can cut out the wastefulness at one end and gifts at the other.  If they mentally can't do it against poor opposition he's then given himself free reign to drop whomever he wants without anyone feeling aggrieved.

You could argue that ship has sailed but the players must sense it and it's time to find out who is going to dig in and who is not.  We have one of the biggest budgets in the league and the players have to start showing up.

He shouldn’t give a monkeys whether a player is aggrieved or not.  They’re not his mates.

[Harry_SFC]

Much rather Quarshie at CB than THB. 

Not sure what it is but I just can't stand THB at the moment. 

[bangkoksaint]

Doing hospitality for this one with some Blackburn mates. They’re awful at home, we’re not great away - going to be a classic 🙄

[Mr X]

3 hours ago, WALK DMC said:

It's not just starting with the same formation that is the issue, it's the fact that he can't/won't change it during the game. Both Swansea and Bristol City could have utilised 4-2-3-1 or a variation of 4-4-2, when it was clear that we'd stopped creating in the 2nd half, but he was too slow or stubborn to react.   

 

Personally I'd like to see Azaz given more of a chance, he is the type of player who will be anonymous for much of the game but still come up with a goal and an assist. 

Remind me how many he's scored again?