Saints vs Blackburn - Match Thread

[Saint NL]

4 minutes ago, Mr X said:

So what exactly was said to Acher before the game? Looks a different player tonight like someone else has possessed his body! Maybe it was a shape up or ship out from tonda! 😉

I'm telling you, Tonda is some kind of wizard. He could get one of the middle aged fat lads from this forum playing like a superstar

[saintant]

Comfortable win apart from one little wobble when they hit the bar. Felt like we had another 3 or 4 gears if needed. Cam Archer had an excellent game capped off by a smart finish. Shame the same can't be said for Matsuki - how on earth did he miss after Larin laid it on a plate? It's going to be an interesting run-in. The unbeaten run continues - on to Swansea for what will be a tough game but we go with confidence and no fear.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Another wow! performance. Another game where the squad management  Tonda put in from day one pays off.

Excellent performances from a well drilled, yet changed, team that was pretty much in complete control.

Blackburn got a bit more space when Bree went off. But we kept plenty of attacking options available, and everyone's work rate was just  more than anything the visitors could muster.

Very hard to pick a MOM. Pretty much everyone involved had excellent games. But lovely to see Archer get it from Sky.

There's a great team spirit. From where we were, that's taken some doing. Not just the results, but in the way they work for and with each other.

Ipswich losing certainly makes things interesting. But it means a fantastic run, has to keep going right to the end.

[Saint Pete]

48 minutes ago, trousers said:

Yeah, the word "could" was doing a lot of the lifting in my statement...

Edit: but we *would* catch them if we win all our remaining games... 

Er, nope! You are still forgetting that Ipswich have 5 to play and we have only 4. So, even if we win our remaining 4 including the Ipswich game, they could still win their other 4 games and finish 3 points above us. 

That said, we have much more of a chance after tonight's results, particularly with the 5 goal swing.

[saintant]

Ipswich don't play until Sunday so if we can beat Swansea we go level on points and that piles on extra pressure.

[Jimmy_D]

Down to two results outside of our control needed to have automatic promotion in our own hands.

Any Millwall dropped points

6 goals to make up on Ipswich now. They have to lose one for us to have a chance, that’s one of those six, beat Ipswich, that’s at least two of them, leaves only three to make up over Ipswich in every other game (plus any extra goals against Ipswich effectively count double in making up those six)

[BotleySaint]

I just noticed I've transitioned from hoping we might just scrape the playoffs to hoping we make automatic!

Edited 2 hours ago by BotleySaint

[Dr Who?]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Oh you're probably right actually.

No was all competition! Lost to Bristol City. I thought we lost at Anfield before Bristol City. 

[woodsaint1]

All we can do is win our remaining and see where that takes us. The fixture congestion will not be easy

[Saint Pete]

Yep, the home game v Ipswich gives us a chance to overturn the 6 goal gap. Win by 2 goals and that's 4 goal swing. 

[sadoldgit]

Delighted for Archer. Well deserved MotM award from Sky. However Larin’s work rate was awesome tonight. What a signing he has been. Tonda has done an incredible job with this squad. What a turn around.

[Nieldy]

Pleased for Archer tonight. Certain players who where getting slatted beginning of season are looking totally different players under Tonda.

[SNSUN]

Amazing to think a week ago we went into the Wrexham game thinking it was the 6 pointer for who would finisb in the play-offs and now we are 8 clear of them and 3 points behind 2nd. Funny old game.

[StrangelyBrown]

We can only beat the teams in front of us and fair play to Tonda that's exactly what he's got us doing. There's a chance that Ipswich drop more points so all we can do is keep winning and hope someone does us a favour.

Fair play to the whole team tonight. A very professional performance and some well taken chances.

Credit to Archer for his performance tonight - I was expecting him to drop off but he kept going.

Otherwise special mentions for Larin, Bragg, Charles and Manning.

[RedArmy]

Just now, Nieldy said:

Pleased for Archer tonight. Certain players who where getting slatted beginning of season are looking totally different players under Tonda.

There isn’t a single player that CAN be slated at the moment. 
 

A remarkable transformation. 

[saintant]

12 minutes ago, Mr X said:

So what exactly was said to Acher before the game? Looks a different player tonight like someone else has possessed his body! Maybe it was a shape up or ship out from tonda! 😉

He's not played a lot and is another who has improved under Tonda. He is a good finisher as he showed tonight and caused Blackburn plenty of problems including a brilliant assist for Larin. He'll probably get more minutes in the run-in as the games come thick and fast and is a useful asset if he can keep this standard up.

[ButtikonSaint]

Seems too easy, did we get a cheat code to reduce the difficulty to Semi-Pro?
Pretty much perfect from all tonight... Larin, Archer and Charles especially.
So cool... 

COYS

[SNSUN]

4 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

All we can do is win our remaining and see where that takes us. The fixture congestion will not be easy

4 games to play to decide our fate, or 9 if we make the finals of both competitions.

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

I'm telling you, Tonda is some kind of wizard. He could get one of the middle aged fat lads from this forum playing like a superstar

Said it before, he's an alien from a far flung galaxy brought here to make us the best side in the world - once it's done he'll disappear.

[Patrick Bateman]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Said it before, he's an alien from a far flung galaxy brought here to make us the best side in the world - once it's done he'll disappear.

"Completed it mate"

[Jimmy_D]

Last time I saw a set of results like ours was when I got fed up with a football manager save and made a copy to save scum with  

[SNSUN]

3 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

There isn’t a single player that CAN be slated at the moment. 
 

A remarkable transformation. 

There must be one. The forum always has a nemesis. Umm, Jamie Jones you prick. 🤪😜

[SNSUN]

Just now, Jimmy_D said:

Last time I saw a set of results like ours was when I got fed up with a football manager save and made a copy to save scum with  

Give it a rest Will Still...

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Yep, the home game v Ipswich gives us a chance to overturn the 6 goal gap. Win by 2 goals and that's 4 goal swing. 

I think if we get enough points the goal difference takes care of itself. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

Saints are third favourites for promotion, behind Coventry and Ipswich

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, sfc4prem said:

Redders said something to him

"Pep wanted me for City, you know."

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

I’m usually ahead of the curve. Can bookmark this for when the penny drops for everyone. I called Bazunu out after his first game and look how that turned out and Martin the night he was confirmed as our manager. Sure with hindsight everyone thinks those were obvious calls but back then people thought I was being unfair on them.

Conversely I back much maligned players like Onuachu and Matsuki who then turn out to be decent. Said Onuachu would have fired us to the title in this league and everyone laughed and said he was a donkey. Currently sits on 22 goals in 25 games and his team are a few points off top. Everyone was slating Matsuki and singing the praises of average joe Fellows and look how important Matsuki is now. I’m not always right, looks like I’ve been wrong about Tonda. But it’s no different than race horses, it’s all about pedigree and track record.

I’m not a huge fan of Charles but he’s already producing moments or brilliance and being the man for the big occasion. It’s no surprise prem teams including Man U are sniffing around him. Who’s scouting Bragg? Nobody because he’s not got a high ceiling. He’s only playing because Tonda was in the u21s and goes unnoticed in one of the best squads in the league. It’s really not rocket science. 
 

When it comes to Bragg, he has all the ingredients of a league 1 player if he reaches his full potential. I’ve been to around 6 u21 games this season and he looked competent but no better than some of the other players like Merry, Ackachukwu, Awe etc who coincidently have all been on loan to league 1/2 clubs. 

I respect the fact that you took the time to draft such a lengthy response to my question, but you still didn't actually answer my question which was: what specifically is it about Bragg that you think makes him L1 standard?

I'm asking again because from my perspective he had another excellent game tonight, showing a great maturity for his age and playing a (literally) pivotal role in an all-round good team performance. So I'm absolutely at a loss to understand what areas of his game you think are holding him back.

[UpweySaint]

10 minutes ago, Nieldy said:

Pleased for Archer tonight. Certain players who where getting slatted beginning of season are looking totally different players under Tonda.

If I’m being super picky Wellington struggled to get up to speed in the game but Blackburn were having their best spell and we had lost a little shape and momentum when he came on. He’s probably a little rusty too! The flip side is how well we are managing games and the squad - to be able to ease him back into the fold while giving Archer a start, resting Stewart and (hopefully) giving Bree a slight rest is testament to Tonda and the wider team around him.

[Saint Scott]

16 minutes ago, saintant said:

Ipswich don't play until Sunday so if we can beat Swansea we go level on points and that piles on extra pressure.

Ipswich abandoned game in the 80th minute, whilst losing at Blackburn could well cost us an automatic spot. They drew the replay 1-1

[saintant]

Just now, Saint Scott said:

Ipswich abandoned game in the 80th minute, whilst losing at Blackburn could well cost us an automatic spot. They drew the replay 1-1

Yeah, I was trying to think back to that game - possibly two points they're lucky to have.

[JohnS]

Not a great game to watch in the main tonight, but good game management & definitely more gears available.  Great to have so much depth available & a good clear sense of togetherness.

Thought that Larin was great tonight along with Archer & Bragg 
Would’ve liked to see more from Fellows, at times you’d forget he was on the pitch, but ball was not coming down his side much.  Wellington didn’t look his normal self either when coming on. 
All will be fearing us now 

[Micky]

Fantastic performance from everybody today, but Larin was absolutely awesome, the guy doesn't have an 'off' switch. 

[Cabrone]

I reckon if we win the next 4 we'll have a better than 50:50 chance of top 2.

Ipswich are average away and also play Boro. One more loss would see us level, let's see how they deal with the pressure.

Can't see Boro pulling out of their nose dive enough for top 2.

Millwall could win all 4 but one slip up would be all we need. Their form is pretty average right now.

Buckle up, this could get very tight.

[Saint Pete]

Brilliant management of the squad again tonight, a comfortable efficient win and several of our best players given a break at the same time. Also, the bonus of Archer turning in a good performance to give us another viable option for the last few games. 

Also, I love that the goals are coming from all over the team (and squad) now. Just looked back and we've scored 12 goals in last 4 games, including 10 different goalscorers! Sign of a very well functioning team/squad. 

[SaintTex]

in our 18 match unbeaten streak....

• 12 goals allowed
  • games w/ clean sheet - 8
  • games w only 1 goal given - 9
  • games w/ 3 goals given - 1 (Leicester) ☺️

 

• 39 goals for!

 

[do i not like fizzy pop]

This squad rotation seems to be paying dividends for Tonda. What do we have 15? 16? players confident playing in a system in competitive games? Is that the true Tonda masterstroke that will make the difference? 

[Saint NL]

Just now, do i not like fizzy pop said:

This squad rotation seems to be paying dividends for Tonda. What do we have 15? 16? players confident playing in a system in competitive games? Is that the true Tonda masterstroke that will make the difference? 

The only positions missing are Goalkeeper, and the left/right backs.

Welington looked rusty tonight. And we resort to playing THB at right back which isn't ideal.

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Not a great game to watch in the main tonight, but good game management & definitely more gears available.  Great to have so much depth available & a good clear sense of togetherness.

Thought that Larin was great tonight along with Archer & Bragg 
Would’ve liked to see more from Fellows, at times you’d forget he was on the pitch, but ball was not coming down his side much.  Wellington didn’t look his normal self either when coming on. 
All will be fearing us now 

I get what you say but two of the goals were superb and Matsuki should have added another. With a much changed team we still played some excellent stuff. Ok, there were spells in the second half when we eased off a little too much but this is a tough schedule and no team can play flat out for 90 minutes.

[Charlie Wayman]

Second gear performance tonight but still far too good for the opposition. Up, up, up the Football league we go!

We are a seriously good team.

[Paul_B]

Pleased for Archer, good performance and great finish from him. That might boost his confidence which might help in the run in.

Larin was a machine. Charles everywhere. 

Bit shaky in the second half but brilliant to kill it off like we did. 

The bubble remains intact for now........!

[Hawkswood]

12 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

Ipswich abandoned game in the 80th minute, whilst losing at Blackburn could well cost us an automatic spot. They drew the replay 1-1

More likely to do with us playing shite for the first half the season.

[austsaint]

9 minutes ago, ButtikonSaint said:

Seems too easy, did we get a cheat code to reduce the difficulty to Semi-Pro?
Pretty much perfect from all tonight... Larin, Archer and Charles especially.
So cool... 

COYS

Think you’ve nailed our “best three” tonight, although even at a lower gear, THB was outstanding as well.  It’s dreamland stuff alright and even though there’s a likelihood of falling just short of automatic promotion, this run of success and feel-good-entertainment is all any supporter can ask for.   Even during the run of unbeaten games under Martin, the Football wasn’t as consistently good.   Tonda’s slightly high wire act in making changes and resting key players worked out perfectly.  Uplifting for Archer to get his chance wide left and deliver his best game for ages.

The loan signings of Larin and Peretz are turning out to be genius decisions.

[tdmickey3]

Is Bree ok or was his subbing tactical?

[hypochondriac]

Brilliant win again. Hoping that Azaz isn't too badly injured and that Bree wasn't taken off due to injury. Have we heard anything?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Partner: I'm going up. Will you be long?

Me: I'll be staring lovingly at the league table for a while.

Partner: Weirdo

Me: Hush, while I'm working out goal differences...

[LGTL]

Larin was fantastic tonight, really beginning to love that guy. Pleased for Archer too who deserved his goal. 

We’re excellent in just about every way at the moment. 

[davefizzy14]

Tonight was played perfectly again by Tonda 😊 resting several key players. So pleased for Archer, he deserved his goal from Leo's pass and he worked hard 😊 Good assist for Larin too. Larin was awesome tonight, just didn't stop running, so powerful and quick and another goal too 😊 Bragg is class, he and Charles controlled the midfield tonight 😊  Peretz, Bree, Stephens, THB and Manning (another goal) all solid too 😊Matsuki and Fellows good too along with Leo, Welington, Wood and Downes 😊 three points off second now. COYR 😊

Edited 1 hour ago by davefizzy14

[SaintBobby]

We have our eyes on Ipswich but Millwall and Boro are also in the race - especially if, as we want, Boro beat Ipswich at the weekend.

[leeham_69]

1 hour ago, Saint NL said:

Has Scienza always been a ginger? 

not sure about the colour but i thought his hair was looking a little more fulsome this evening. maybe that's why he was on the bench, sore from new implants?

[saintant]

13 minutes ago, Paul_B said:

Pleased for Archer, good performance and great finish from him. That might boost his confidence which might help in the run in.

Larin was a machine. Charles everywhere. 

Bit shaky in the second half but brilliant to kill it off like we did. 

The bubble remains intact for now........!

Matsuki should have killed the game off to give us a more comfortable second half. Still trying to figure out how he failed to score - a slight bobble as he shot is all I can give him but he still should get his knee over the ball to keep it low.