Saints 3-1 Birmingham - Match Thread

[maysie]

5 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

Yes but I also say it how it is, sorry it upsets you so much 

You're a tedious prick

[the colonel]

4 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

The fan passed away, very sad

Commiserations to friends and family but hopefully he/she died doing what they loved: 'supporting their team'.

Very sad RIP.

[Dr Who?]

We are far more exciting to watch. If we could score a few more from our chances with would be much better. Defensively we are still a little shocking, but most are in this league. Love the fact we are attacking more, but overall the games are far more open, which makes for a better game. Strap yourselves in because I think we are going to try and out score the oppo rather than edging out wins. Until the last 20 and we switch to defence mode, which the transition does not work at all. 

[Sheaf Saint]

23 minutes ago, Dr Who? said:

We are far more exciting to watch. If we could score a few more from our chances with would be much better. 

I think fans of every team in the world would say the same, but the fact is that we have scored 18 in 6 since Still was sacked and outperformed our xG in every one of those games. I think the defence is a bigger concern TBH. We still look fragile at the back and give up chances too easily, and we've only managed 3 clean sheets all season. 

[austsaint]

4 hours ago, lambtiss said:

We were 3-1 up  Clearly Tonda was resting both players ahead of a midweek game, especially with star man Scienza recovering from an illness. Also, good opportunity for Robinson and Archer.

It would be another tick for Tonda if he gets a tune out of Archer and judged on Archer’s cameo yesterday he just might.   The resting of Scienza and AA in favour of Robinson and Archer worked well enough, as did the introduction of Romeu and Edwards.   Eckert’s game management (early days) is several notches higher than  Still, Juric and Martin.

 Like to see him experiment with a back four and abandon the idea of Manning as a wing back.  Good left foot though he’s got,   he is just  too slack defensively (even if played as a LB) which results in a barrage of unchallenged crosses and runs which will eventually be converted by the better sides.  Give  Wellington a run of games at LB to see if he can regain that early promise……  one of his first appearances v Palace comes to mind as eye catching.  Play THB and one other at CB, and have a three man central midfield with Jander, Downes and Charles with Downes sat behind the other two as defensive cover.    Downes was very good today and would shore up our defence in a way that Stephens and Wood consistently don’t.   That leaves Scienza, Azaz and Armstrong as the attacking three with help from Fellows, Charles and Jander.     Come on Tonda, give it a go!

 

[Patrick Bateman]

34 minutes ago, austsaint said:

It would be another tick for Tonda if he gets a tune out of Archer and judged on Archer’s cameo yesterday he just might.   The resting of Scienza and AA in favour of Robinson and Archer worked well enough, as did the introduction of Romeu and Edwards.   Eckert’s game management (early days) is several notches higher than  Still, Juric and Martin.

 Like to see him experiment with a back four and abandon the idea of Manning as a wing back.  Good left foot though he’s got,   he is just  too slack defensively (even if played as a LB) which results in a barrage of unchallenged crosses and runs which will eventually be converted by the better sides.  Give  Wellington a run of games at LB to see if he can regain that early promise……  one of his first appearances v Palace comes to mind as eye catching.  Play THB and one other at CB, and have a three man central midfield with Jander, Downes and Charles with Downes sat behind the other two as defensive cover.    Downes was very good today and would shore up our defence in a way that Stephens and Wood consistently don’t.   That leaves Scienza, Azaz and Armstrong as the attacking three with help from Fellows, Charles and Jander.     Come on Tonda, give it a go!

 

I said this to my son today, on current standings it is light years ahead, especially over Still and his throwing 15 attackers on to get a goal back subs ... 

[Saint Fan CaM]

6 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

Maybe but surely he doesn’t coach to let so many crosses in?

Absolutely not - Manning can’t help himself…no positional sense and no defensive intent when faced with a player about to cross a ball. Fellows to be fair is not really a defender - not in his DNA - but does a marginally better job stopping crosses. My belief is that a defensive line is weakened by the full-backs being unbalanced - that is what Fellows and Manning bring to the team, however Fellows is far more of a threat going forwards as he’s braver on the ball.

[Crab Lungs]

4 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

This was a really impressive one for me, probably our most. I have been sceptical about how we return from poor results over the last few years, but we bounced back properly today. 

I thought Birmingham gave us a really good game, as I felt they would - but we break so quickly now, we don't fart around with the ball, we get it and go with pace. Getting direct players like Leo and Fellows in the team makes such a difference, because it automatically pulls players around and creates space - and Armstrong thrives in space, so he's going to nick things. 

Leo was the best player on the pitch though, it's not just his direct running, what I really love about him is his resilience - he just keeps going, he gets kicked, pulled, pushed but he keeps going - he doesn't play for the foul, he plays to make something/score something. He's the best player we've had in fricking years, a proper game changing player -  not many of those at this level.

I think what we're seeing now is the new blood showing their face - Azaz, Fellows, Leo, Jander - they've stepped up and they're pulling this team along now. We're not reliant on Downes being fit, Armstrong being fit, Edozie or Aribo being available - we've evolved and you can now finally see the improvements. There are still holes in the squad that I'm sure we'll fill, but this is more like it.

I think Still tried to put too much of a structure in place around players who didn't really want that, whereas the biggest difference I can see that Tonda has brought is enabling freedom - go and run if you've got space, drive forward if there's room. None of this pass back just to keep the ball nonsense, the target seems to be clear and they have clarity - get forward as soon as possible with as few passes as possible, keep the pace quick and drive forward. We have a squad of players built entirely for that, so now they're being allowed to play that way it's no surprise the results are coming.

Great post and much like how i feel. At some point, Still might turn out to be cleverer than we think he is but it’s plain to see he had us playing with the handbrake on.

Tonda has done something really simple; unshackled our creative players from whatever rigid structure Still was trying to implement and just lets the front players, play. He’s recognised Jander is more often than not the one who flips the momentum on a dime and gets us up the pitch and lets him get on with it.

Hes unburdened Azaz, Fellows and Scienza and has even recognised and given licence to THB to play direct killer passes to get us up the pitch and get us on the front foot instead of the sideways and backwards nonsense we’ve had to deal with. If the pass is on, he wants THB to try it.

For the first time in a long time, everyone seems to know their roles and the instructions are, as above, really quite simple when you look at it. Let our attacking players do their thing and have Jander, Scienza and THB drive the team forward with a turn, a pass or a dribble.

Hes very quickly seen our strengths and put it into action. It’s amazing how we over complicated it so much with Still. 

It’s not perfect by any means. Evidently we drop off after the substitutions quite a bit but another thing he appears to have identified is getting Robinson to play a ‘Scienza-lite’ role, which I think he successfully pulled off today. 

Finally we’re playing to our strengths and it’s bloody enjoyable to watch.

[Fabrice29]

6 hours ago, austsaint said:

 Like to see him experiment with a back four and abandon the idea of Manning as a wing back.  Good left foot though he’s got,   he is just  too slack defensively (even if played as a LB) which results in a barrage of unchallenged crosses and runs which will eventually be converted by the better sides.  Give  Wellington a run of games at LB to see if he can regain that early promise……  one of his first appearances v Palace comes to mind as eye catching.  Play THB and one other at CB, and have a three man central midfield with Jander, Downes and Charles with Downes sat behind the other two as defensive cover.    Downes was very good today and would shore up our defence in a way that Stephens and Wood consistently don’t.   That leaves Scienza, Azaz and Armstrong as the attacking three with help from Fellows, Charles and Jander.     Come on Tonda, give it a go!

 

Why do you want us to try this out of interest? I know people have an issue with 3 at the back but aren’t these results and performances enough to show that it isn’t the formation that’s the problem? I don’t really understand the desire to ‘experiment’ as you say, just as we’ve picked up some form and fluidity. Call for Manning to be swapped out if you like, but change everyone else’s game too doesn’t seem wise. 

[SW11_Saint]

The opposition view… 

 

Funny they all moan about Flynn Downes’ excellent tackle to start the move for the third goal… Flynn was outstanding yesterday, put in a real shift. 

Edited 13 hours ago by SW11_Saint

[Stud mark of doom]

After what seems an age of turgid stats-driven dross, I think I’d forgotten what exciting attacking football is like to watch, with fast skilful players taking a risk or three and constantly looking to get forward - and even shoot from outside the area! 
 

Absolutely brilliant stuff - roll on Tuesday. 
 

Oh, and Scienza is incredible. What a find! 
 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Stud mark of doom

[austsaint]

36 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Why do you want us to try this out of interest? I know people have an issue with 3 at the back but aren’t these results and performances enough to show that it isn’t the formation that’s the problem? I don’t really understand the desire to ‘experiment’ as you say, just as we’ve picked up some form and fluidity. Call for Manning to be swapped out if you like, but change everyone else’s game too doesn’t seem wise. 

That’s a fair question.   Yes, I suppose I’m calling for Manning to be replaced by a better defensive option who could play tighter to the wide right attacking opposition players who time and again have space and time to cross, pass or run into dangerous areas.     I’m also not seeing the three-at-the-back  helping out Manning much except when Quarshie has played as the left sided CB.   Stephens and Wood in particular often play central and congested, almost getting in each others way.    Why not use the box-to-box qualities of Jander and Charles backed up by a holding Downes who in turn helps out THB and one other CB with a LB like Wellington (wish we had better) to tighten that left side.   I’m not saying there’s a problem with the current formation which includes 3 CBs, just that tweaking things might  work even better - make us defensively sounder without changing players roles much.

[Sheaf Saint]

7 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Absolutely not - Manning can’t help himself…no positional sense and no defensive intent when faced with a player about to cross a ball. Fellows to be fair is not really a defender - not in his DNA - but does a marginally better job stopping crosses. My belief is that a defensive line is weakened by the full-backs being unbalanced - that is what Fellows and Manning bring to the team, however Fellows is far more of a threat going forwards as he’s braver on the ball.

It's not just Manning's inability to stop a cross. This moment yesterday sums him up perfectly.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxr9pOi3mnE29Q0pLsfqGboNvzyeKtU4dk?si=-7kNzcZVeHwcGu1T

[Fabrice29]

11 minutes ago, austsaint said:

That’s a fair question.   Yes, I suppose I’m calling for Manning to be replaced by a better defensive option who could play tighter to the wide right attacking opposition players who time and again have space and time to cross, pass or run into dangerous areas.     I’m also not seeing the three-at-the-back  helping out Manning much except when Quarshie has played as the left sided CB.   Stephens and Wood in particular often play central and congested, almost getting in each others way.    Why not use the box-to-box qualities of Jander and Charles backed up by a holding Downes who in turn helps out THB and one other CB with a LB like Wellington (wish we had better) to tighten that left side.   I’m not saying there’s a problem with the current formation which includes 3 CBs, just that tweaking things might  work even better - make us defensively sounder without changing players roles much.

That’s fair but I do think you change a lot by removing a CB. Build up patterns would change, I don’t think two CB’s allows them to create the angles they currently use to feed the front 3 into feet for example. Same with taking Manning out as well imo but I understand the concerns about him defensively and also the desire to get Charles back in when he’s fit. I’m not convinced by Romeu yet though and nor do I think Bragg would give you that box to box qualities so those plans will have to wait until Charles is back anyway. 

[Chez]

8 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Absolutely not - Manning can’t help himself…no positional sense and no defensive intent when faced with a player about to cross a ball. Fellows to be fair is not really a defender - not in his DNA - but does a marginally better job stopping crosses. My belief is that a defensive line is weakened by the full-backs being unbalanced - that is what Fellows and Manning bring to the team, however Fellows is far more of a threat going forwards as he’s braver on the ball.

Neither wing back has electric pace which is part of the reason why they don't stop crosses going in. This is why three centre backs are needed to prevent these crosses becoming goals.

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Fabrice29 said:

That’s fair but I do think you change a lot by removing a CB. Build up patterns would change, I don’t think two CB’s allows them to create the angles they currently use to feed the front 3 into feet for example. Same with taking Manning out as well imo but I understand the concerns about him defensively and also the desire to get Charles back in when he’s fit. I’m not convinced by Romeu yet though and nor do I think Bragg would give you that box to box qualities so those plans will have to wait until Charles is back anyway. 

Three centre backs allows the full backs to hug the touchline. Our play yesterday almost entirely consisted of center backs passing to wing backs and then hitting down the line. Not much went through the middle. At times it was predictable and painful to watch, but it was pretty damn effective.

We have a pattern of play. To be honest that's what we have done all season but now we have Fellows receiving the ball and he has the ability to get out of tight spots and put opponents on the back foot.

[LiberalCommunist]

On 05/12/2025 at 13:23, Verbal said:

Happily supply the eggs for your face if you wish.

How do you like your eggs in the morning, I like mine with a twist. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

1 hour ago, Stud mark of doom said:

After what seems at age or turgid stats-driven dross, I think I’d forgotten what exciting attacking football is like to watch, with fast skilful players taking a risk or three and constantly looking to get forward - and even shoot from outside the area! 
 

Absolutely brilliant stuff - roll on Tuesday. 
 

Oh, and Scienza is incredible. What a find! 
 

 

I was trying to think back to when I've enjoyed watching Saints so much. Yes, we scored a lot of goals and went on that unbeaten run under RM last time we were in the Championship, but it wasn't exciting football. Probably Ralph at his peak...

[Sheaf Saint]

19 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

I was trying to think back to when I've enjoyed watching Saints so much. Yes, we scored a lot of goals and went on that unbeaten run under RM last time we were in the Championship, but it wasn't exciting football. Probably Ralph at his peak...

There were a couple of games during that RM run when we were a joy to watch. The 4-0 demolition of Swansea springs to mind, because we looked like we would score every time we attacked. But yeah, prior to that you would probably have to go back to the days of Koeman. We got some good results under Ralph, but it was never free-flowing football.

[lambtiss]

11 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

Armstrong had evidently received a knock a short time before being taken off, he was struggling but refused treatment to stay on. Leo has been taken off a few times around that hour mark, I think that’s clearly a belief in the club he wouldn’t make it through so many minutes in a week with that intensity. 

I think it is clear that Leo gives 100% whenever he is on the ball, no dithering, he turns and hares off for goal, I'm not surprised that he gets tired and now that he is targeted from the off by the opposition's defenders I'm not surprised that we need to protect him whenever we can. 

[Badger]

Played some great stuff at times. Some of the Scienza, AA, Azaz, Jander and Fellows play exceptional. Fellows unlucky hitting the bar but then seemed to snatch at his chances later.

Unfortuately the subs made us weaker with each introduction. That’s down to the squad recruitment by others rather than TE.  
 

 

 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

5 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

We got some good results under Ralph, but it was never free-flowing football.

I remember us being at our best under Ralph during lock-down, Ings was bang on form, the Norwich away game springs to mind as being particularly a joy to watch.

[Challenger]

2 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

It's not just Manning's inability to stop a cross. This moment yesterday sums him up perfectly.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxr9pOi3mnE29Q0pLsfqGboNvzyeKtU4dk?si=-7kNzcZVeHwcGu1T

If I had to highlight the worst incident in the game, that was it . Utterly feable excuse from a professional player, felt a bit of contact and went down looking for the foul.

Bloke needs to both wise up and man up. Bloody liability.

.

[saintant]

57 minutes ago, Chez said:

Three centre backs allows the full backs to hug the touchline. Our play yesterday almost entirely consisted of center backs passing to wing backs and then hitting down the line. Not much went through the middle. At times it was predictable and painful to watch, but it was pretty damn effective.

We have a pattern of play. To be honest that's what we have done all season but now we have Fellows receiving the ball and he has the ability to get out of tight spots and put opponents on the back foot.

I saw us play through the middle a few times and we caused them to panic. Don't know if it was a tactical ploy but we seemed to be getting a pair of quick players close together so that one could look to get in behind and it worked a treat.

[badgerx16]

8 minutes ago, Challenger said:

If I had to highlight the worst incident in the game, that was it . Utterly feable excuse from a professional player, felt a bit of contact and went down looking for the foul.

Bloke needs to both wise up and man up. Bloody liability.

.

Manning needs to realise that a wing back occasionally needs to be a full back. The easiest way to attack Saints is to go wide on our left, level with the front of the penalty area, there is always space where Manning is supposed to be.

[saintant]

Tonda deserves enormous credit for the way we are playing. We are creating good chances in open play for the first time in a long while. I am sure he is aware that we need to improve defensively but has to be careful not to take away any of our attaking impetus. We are scoring goals for fun and exciting to watch. There will be bumps in the road but equally what a vast improvement he's overseen in only 6 games so we may get even better.

[DellBlockH]

3 hours ago, SW11_Saint said:

The opposition view… 

 

Funny they all moan about Flynn Downes’ excellent tackle to start the move for the third goal… Flynn was outstanding yesterday, put in a real shift. 

I really enjoyed that.

[goodymatt]

31 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I remember us being at our best under Ralph during lock-down, Ings was bang on form, the Norwich away game springs to mind as being particularly a joy to watch.

Remember this one very well. It was my 30th birthday and we won 3-0. Being a June birthday, Saints are never playing under normal circumstances. Considering we were in lockdown, it was a nice present!

[Dr Who?]

11 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think fans of every team in the world would say the same, but the fact is that we have scored 18 in 6 since Still was sacked and outperformed our xG in every one of those games. I think the defence is a bigger concern TBH. We still look fragile at the back and give up chances too easily, and we've only managed 3 clean sheets all season. 

That is a far point, and yes the better thing would be to tighten up the defence, but easily said than done because any change to how we are playing to tighten up the defence ‘could’ and probably will have an impact on the way we attack. We have the players to be scoring for fun, and unlike before we are creating much more. I know we are not going to score every time, that is football, but as you say we will come undone even at 3-1 up against better opposition than we faced yesterday. 
Still it is much better fun than it was. UTS! 

[Bob60]

I thought that the three center halves did well yesterday and dealt with most balls into the box quite well. 

Never liked three at the back but we are winning and if you change that the only way you get three central midfielders would probably mean sacrificing one of our main attacking threats.

[Saint NL]

Apparently Birmingham are better at home than they are away, so I'd expect the game at the end of the month to be a tough one. Thought they looked a decent side, and yet we could/should have scored 5. 

[lambtiss]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

Manning needs to realise that a wing back occasionally needs to be a full back. The easiest way to attack Saints is to go wide on our left, level with the front of the penalty area, there is always space where Manning is supposed to be.

I wholeheartedly agree, but I retain no optimism whatsoever that Manning will improve as a defender. He makes mistake after mistake, game after game and never seems to learn. We just need a better player in his position.

[Stud mark of doom]

2 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

I was trying to think back to when I've enjoyed watching Saints so much. Yes, we scored a lot of goals and went on that unbeaten run under RM last time we were in the Championship, but it wasn't exciting football. Probably Ralph at his peak...

In terms of flying forward with lots of differing attacking talent seemingly playing off the cuff, it has actually put me in mind of the Keegan era. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Stud mark of doom

[obelisk]

22 minutes ago, Bob60 said:

I thought that the three center halves did well yesterday and dealt with most balls into the box quite well. 

Well there quite a lot of balls into the Saints box so they had plenty of practice. 😉

[Graffito]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

Neither wing back has electric pace which is part of the reason why they don't stop crosses going in. This is why three centre backs are needed to prevent these crosses becoming goals.

Fellows has become decent at stopping crosses. He did a particularly good job at Millwall. When he went off, Millwall attacked at will down that side. I’m not sure what you mean by electric pace (Jonno?) but again Fellows has pace and, double benefit, he can carry the ball at pace. He and Scienza as ball carriers cutting in from wide areas and attacking through the middle at pace is a big plus, Birmingham couldn’t deal with it. Less said about Manning’s defending the better.

 

 

 

 

[Jack]

18 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

We tired towards the end but still carved out good chances for Archer and Robinson.

Bringing Aribo on was like going down to 10 men. Manning staying on is a worry, we need someone to replace him. He doesn't close down his man enough anyway, let alone when he's blowing out of his arse in the final 20 minutes.

Tonda is good at analysing other teams. I think he needs to delve in deeper into our players in the last 20 minutes of games. We give away far too much.

So many managers have persisted with Manning, they must be fully aware of how dire he is defensively and come to the conclusion that it’s a risk worth taking with what he offers in the other half of the pitch.
 

I’m not convinced myself and it’s one of the first positions I want us to strengthen, as I’m not sure Welly is up to it either. Especially with Captain Jack at LCB, imagine what Fellows does to those 2 in training games. It’s ok against sides where we’re mostly on top but I worry about it against better sides. 
 

Fully agree on Aribo, ship him out on a free ASAP and get him off the wage bill. Useless 

[Chez]

24 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

Apparently Birmingham are better at home than they are away, so I'd expect the game at the end of the month to be a tough one. Thought they looked a decent side, and yet we could/should have scored 5. 

They are better at home. They are a decent side, but the two central midfielders are ball players and lack a bit of bite and don't cover the ground well. Ducksch and Stanfield have been playing well together but the former was woeful yesterday. Roberts was poor too. I think Davies was out coached.  They never got to grips with our formation or our tactics. Like some many teams they just continued to play the one way they know. 

It was a terrific game to watch. We carved them open time after time. We should have scored 5 and had opportunities for more. That said, on another day they could easily have scored 4 or 5 goals themselves. Gray not scoring the header at 1-0 was a key moment.

[Chez]

14 minutes ago, Graffito said:

Fellows has become decent at stopping crosses. He did a particularly good job at Millwall. When he went off, Millwall attacked at will down that side. I’m not sure what you mean by electric pace (Jonno?) but again Fellows has pace and, double benefit, he can carry the ball at pace. He and Scienza as ball carriers cutting in from wide areas and attacking through the middle at pace is a big plus, Birmingham couldn’t deal with it. Less said about Manning’s defending the better.

 

Fellows had a brilliant game yesterday. My motm, but he didn't really stop Gray crossing the ball in. He did has absolute best to stop him mind. Gray was just sharper. Manning isn't super quick either. Its a bit like the old Danny Fox days. He doesnt want to get too close as he knows the winger can run past him. So he doesnt get beat but the cross just comes in.

I'm talking about Ashley Cole/Bertrand type electric acceleration.

With the ball, Fellows is quick enough. Him and Scienza were too quick for Brum anyway. They are great to watch with the ball.

[Chez]

40 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

I wholeheartedly agree, but I retain no optimism whatsoever that Manning will improve as a defender. He makes mistake after mistake, game after game and never seems to learn. We just need a better player in his position.

We bought Wellington. Is he better? I think the jury is out on that.

[Chez]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

Played some great stuff at times. Some of the Scienza, AA, Azaz, Jander and Fellows play exceptional. Fellows unlucky hitting the bar but then seemed to snatch at his chances later.

Unfortuately the subs made us weaker with each introduction. That’s down to the squad recruitment by others rather than TE.  
 

Robinson was decent, and Archer worked his socks off, but Aribo and Romeu weakened us. To help keep things tight, you want midfielders with fresh energy that hussle and close down opponents and then dont panic when they get the ball. no point taking a tied CM off only to bring slow or lazy CMs on.

Got to say I thought Romeu looked off the pace again. I've always been a fan, and he has never been quick, but he looked vey slow.

[RedArmy]

3 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

I was trying to think back to when I've enjoyed watching Saints so much. Yes, we scored a lot of goals and went on that unbeaten run under RM last time we were in the Championship, but it wasn't exciting football. Probably Ralph at his peak...

Reminds me more of football under Koeman.
 

Hitting teams on the counter with pace and directness with good finishing at the end of it. 
 

Very fun to watch. 

[Toadhall Saint]

Leo & Tom are so great to watch going forward. The close control at pace is a joy to watch (if you’re not the defender). More please.

[Midfield_General]

52 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Reminds me more of football under Koeman.
 

Hitting teams on the counter with pace and directness with good finishing at the end of it. 
 

Very fun to watch. 

Yeah - it's how Poch had us playing too when he first came in. It seems to suit us as a style and is really entertaining. 

[gammon cheeks]

Koemans football was a joy to watch ..this football is similar ..o

[Tamesaint]

1 hour ago, Bob60 said:

I thought that the three center halves did well yesterday and dealt with most balls into the box quite well. 

I agree. Towards the end Birmingham brought on several giants. Our Centre backs handled well all the crosses, corners and long throws that were sent their way. 

[Tamesaint]

12 minutes ago, gammon cheeks said:

Koemans football was a joy to watch ..this football is similar ..o

Be careful. Some people (eg Duckie) got all upset when similar was posted after the Charlton match. 

[Midfield_General]

Quite a few Birmingham fans saying we're the best team they've played this season and that we're a better side than Coventry.

Also full of praise for the 'absolute quality' we brought off the bench. Quick, let's sell them Aribo. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Dr Who?]

6 hours ago, SW11_Saint said:

The opposition view… 

 

Funny they all moan about Flynn Downes’ excellent tackle to start the move for the third goal… Flynn was outstanding yesterday, put in a real shift. 

No they were not moaning about that. The Brum player was fouled a second or 2 before the great tackle. The ref played the advantage and should have pulled it back for the foul. 

[Dr Who?]

It is very interesting to hear the view of other fans rather than the negativity we get in the main on here. I hear a lot living so far away from Southampton and most consider us a main threat this season still. 

[Ken Tone]

19 hours ago, SaintBobby said:

Deserved win. Brum weren’t at it in the first half.

The fluidity of Leo, Azaz, Arma & Fellows in attack is something to behold.

Downsides? 1. Never looked like keeping a clean sheet. 2. Aribo…Jesus F***ing Christ.

 

New version of his song?

Ar-i-bo!.... no!