Saints vs Blackburn - Tuesday 8pm

[Lighthouse]

Live on Sky if you can't get a ticket. Pompey are at home to Ipswich at the same time, so play nice on the trains.

[Saint NL]

I predict a lot of 

502 Gateway error

And maybe a few 

502 Gateway error

And possibly one or two

502 Gateway errors

along the way

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

I predict a lot of 

502 Gateway error

And maybe a few 

502 Gateway error

And possibly one or two

502 Gateway errors

along the way

Gateway was a crap supermarket tbf. 

[Lighthouse]

48 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Gateway was a crap supermarket tbf. 

I associate them with nineties computers, which actually might explain quite a bit.

[bangkoksaint]

49 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Gateway was a crap supermarket tbf. 

Showing your age!!

[Toadhall Saint]

56 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

I predict a lot of 

502 Gateway error

And maybe a few 

502 Gateway error

And possibly one or two

502 Gateway errors

along the way

Oh and a home win

[East Kent Saint]

1 hour ago, Saint NL said:

I predict a lot of 

502 Gateway error

And maybe a few 

502 Gateway error

And possibly one or two

502 Gateway errors

along the way

I'm afraid the site has been a bit slow over the previous few weeks , difficult to update etc

[spyinthesky]

Wonder if Bree will be fit for the Blackburn game?
He was struggling a bit before being replaced

[Football Special]

Annoys me that Saints made this a Cat A pricing fixture as previously scheduled as last home game of the season, obviously its now moved to a midweek game mixed in with a busy run of games, going to be a fairly small crowd, 3000 empty in away end as they're bringing about 150 fans, then will be loads empty either side in blocks 20 and 29. 

 

[Sheaf Saint]

22 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

Wonder if Bree will be fit for the Blackburn game?
He was struggling a bit before being replaced

Azaz looked in some discomfort too. Hope it was nothing serious.

[benjii]

Azaz is 4th in our squad for minutes played this season (THB, Bree and Manning are the top 3).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Azaz start one on the bench soon. 

Likewise Manning, given Wellington is available.

[Baird of the land]

23 minutes ago, benjii said:

Azaz is 4th in our squad for minutes played this season (THB, Bree and Manning are the top 3).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Azaz start one on the bench soon. 

Likewise Manning, given Wellington is available.

So it’s going to be an archer start game

[James G]

Blackburn are another physical, defensive team who score on the break. Games tend to be low scoring, and they are in a 5 game unbeaten run. I predict a 2-1 win to us

[kwsaint]

5 hours ago, Saint NL said:

I predict a lot of 

502 Gateway error

And maybe a few 

502 Gateway error

And possibly one or two

502 Gateway errors

along the way

I’d take a 502 Gateway error to the 403 Permission Error I ended up getting from the Portsmouth online forum.

[SNSUN]

36 minutes ago, kwsaint said:

I’d take a 502 Gateway error to the 403 Permission Error I ended up getting from the Portsmouth online forum.

My company messaged me to say I'd gone on a malicious website. I wouldn't mind but of all the dirty nun pictures I scan through when I'm at work, it was a pub website in Guildford that did it. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Baird of the land said:

So it’s going to be an archer start game

Steady on. He just said that Azaz and Manning might need a rest. Not that the entire squad were abducted, like an old Roy of the Rovers story. 🙂

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, James G said:

Blackburn are another physical, defensive team who score on the break. Games tend to be low scoring, and they are in a 5 game unbeaten run. I predict a 2-1 win to us

Yeah. We've been on an amazing run, with a lot of games. But we need to keep that going a bit longer to make sure of that play off reward.

I think it will be a lot more like the Derby game than the Wrexham one. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Love how the games are coming thick & fast at the moment, although not sure the team are feeling the same…there were some tired legs yesterday. 

What are we to make of Blackburn? Another bunch of cloggers with nothing much to play for? Park the bus? Strangely it’s this type of game that could well prove to derail any hope of an auto spot, despite the belief etc that Tonda is instilling in the team. We’ll probably see players rotate in - maybe due to niggly injuries - but the squad seems strong in terms of deploying what the manager needs.

In short, another difficult one to call, but I’m going 2-1.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

7 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Love how the games are coming thick & fast at the moment, although not sure the team are feeling the same…there were some tired legs yesterday. 

What are we to make of Blackburn? Another bunch of cloggers with nothing much to play for? Park the bus? Strangely it’s this type of game that could well prove to derail any hope of an auto spot, despite the belief etc that Tonda is instilling in the team. We’ll probably see players rotate in - maybe due to niggly injuries - but the squad seems strong in terms of deploying what the manager needs.

In short, another difficult one to call, but I’m going 2-1.

Shea Charles looked like he was running in mud. Looked gassed straight away to me. 

Wonder if Matsuki and Edozie will start this one.

[Toussaint]

2 hours ago, benjii said:

Azaz is 4th in our squad for minutes played this season (THB, Bree and Manning are the top 3).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Azaz start one on the bench soon. 

Likewise Manning, given Wellington is available.

It’s reported that Azaz had specifically requested to play every  minute of every game, if fit. If he doesn’t, Charles can play there and I think it’s also Matsuki’s preferred position. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

13 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

It’s reported that Azaz had specifically requested to play every  minute of every game, if fit. If he doesn’t, Charles can play there and I think it’s also Matsuki’s preferred position. 

I'd have thought all the players would have asked that. 🙂

Up to the manager to then pick the ones he thinks will do best.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Love how the games are coming thick & fast at the moment, although not sure the team are feeling the same…there were some tired legs yesterday. 

What are we to make of Blackburn? Another bunch of cloggers with nothing much to play for? Park the bus? Strangely it’s this type of game that could well prove to derail any hope of an auto spot, despite the belief etc that Tonda is instilling in the team. We’ll probably see players rotate in - maybe due to niggly injuries - but the squad seems strong in terms of deploying what the manager needs.

In short, another difficult one to call, but I’m going 2-1.

Blackburn recently have been very defensive and it has paid off for them, aim for the 0-0 and look to nick a goal, hopefully they're experiencing same fatigue as us and leave a bit more space for creative players to exploit. 

We certainly owe them after the defeat up there earlier in the season, one of the most ridiculous games I've seen. Bragg had to be picked up in a taxi from Leicester where u21s were playing and driven up. 

Welington got a red card. Didn't Shea Charles get a bad injury? Was an all round disaster. 

We've come a long way from this line up , Jack Stephens coming on in midfield 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Football Special

[Toussaint]

23 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I'd have thought all the players would have asked that. 🙂

Up to the manager to then pick the ones he thinks will do best.

Alfie has said it on many occasions, I assume that’s what they agreed is the best way to get the most out of him? 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Alfie has said it on many occasions, I assume that’s what they agreed is the best way to get the most out of him? 

I'd have thought every player insisted on starting every game as it would get the best out of them.

Everyone would like a long run of games, and often improve as a result.

Unless it's contractual or some agreement (that Fellows didn't get) that he's to be a starter, then he takes his chances.

Perhaps, as the only real option for his position, he's there by default. 

As you mentioned earlier, I'd like to see Matsuki in there at some point (off the bench, if Azaz is looking tired). 

[Appy]

59 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Blackburn recently have been very defensive and it has paid off for them, aim for the 0-0 and look to nick a goal, hopefully they're experiencing same fatigue as us and leave a bit more space for creative players to exploit. 

We certainly owe them after the defeat up there earlier in the season, one of the most ridiculous games I've seen. Bragg had to be picked up in a taxi from Leicester where u21s were playing and driven up. 

Welington got a red card. Didn't Shea Charles get a bad injury? Was an all round disaster. 

We've come a long way from this line up , Jack Stephens coming on in midfield 

 

The entire away end bring absolutely baffled by Still bringing on Stephens for Scienza, that was basically his death knell. 

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Blackburn recently have been very defensive and it has paid off for them, aim for the 0-0 and look to nick a goal, hopefully they're experiencing same fatigue as us and leave a bit more space for creative players to exploit. 

We certainly owe them after the defeat up there earlier in the season, one of the most ridiculous games I've seen. Bragg had to be picked up in a taxi from Leicester where u21s were playing and driven up. 

Welington got a red card. Didn't Shea Charles get a bad injury? Was an all round disaster. 

We've come a long way from this line up , Jack Stephens coming on in midfield 

 

That’s right weren’t two players ill both travelled but neither fit enough to play so they had to send a taxi for Bragg. Yes Shea Charles got a bad injury late on and was out for a a couple of months. That was the most inept managerial performance ive ever seen, literally plucked defeat from the jaws of victory to due to ridiculous tactics and subs

Edited 2 hours ago by Turkish

[Football Special]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

That’s right weren’t two players ill both travelled but neither fit enough to play so they had to send a taxi for Bragg. Yes Shea Charles got a bad injury late on and was out for a a couple of months. That was the most inept managerial performance ive ever seen, literally plucked defeat from the draws of victory to due to ridiculous tactics and subs

Made me laugh they had to find a shirt for Bragg, no name or number on it, all felt very Sunday league at the time. 

We had a back 5 of Roerslev , Edwards, Wood, Quarshie and Manning, good times. 

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, kwsaint said:

I’d take a 502 Gateway error to the 403 Permission Error I ended up getting from the Portsmouth online forum.

They’re even lower than us on that.

[Badger]

39 minutes ago, Appy said:

The entire away end bring absolutely baffled by Still bringing on Stephens for Scienza, that was basically his death knell. 

Except he remained in place for another week. 

[markr27]

If Azaz is not fit to start (seemed to go off with a knock on Saturday), who replaces him in the 10 position? 
Leo? Shea? Archer as a second striker? 
 

Edited 2 hours ago by markr27

[SouthWalesSaints]

Really disappointed by ticket sales for this game.  Honestly, this is the best we’re ever going to get it and we’ll be lucky to have 27,000 in the crowd. Back in the premier league days we’d sell blocks of the away support unsold just to see us scrape 13th. 
 

Anyway… after a small sample sizing of the chapel on Saturday ( taking my youngest ) me and the eldest who’ll be sneaking out of school early to make the 7 hour round trip will be in the knightwood lounge for this one. 
 

Hope for some late interest in the game, the players deserve it. 
 

Larin, Wellington, Matsuki, Charles, Wood, Bragg, & Edozie to come in I suspect.  50/50 on Bragg, Wood/Wellington. 
 

Peretz, Bree, THB, Wood, Wellington, Downes, Bragg, Charles, Matsuki, Edozie, Larin.  

 

Edited 1 hour ago by SouthWalesSaints

[Lighthouse]

15 minutes ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Really disappointed by ticket sales for this game.  Honestly, this is the best we’re ever going to get it and we’ll be lucky to have 27,000 in the crowd. Back in the premier league days we’d sell blocks of the away support unsold just to see us scrape 13th. 

I'm not sure where that number has come from but this game was brought forward a week ago to effectively give people nine days notice. People have lives to fit this around and life's not exactly cheap with the cost of fuel going through the roof and so many home fixtures packed together.

[Oisin]

7 minutes ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Really disappointed by ticket sales for this game.  Honestly, this is the best we’re ever going to get it and we’ll be lucky to have 27,000 in the crowd. Back in the premier league days we’d sell blocks of the away support unsold just to see us scrape 13th. 
 

Anyway… after a small sample sizing of the chapel on Saturday ( taking my youngest ) me and the eldest who’ll be sneaking out of school early to make the 7 hour round trip will be in the knightwood lounge for this one. 
 

Hope for some late interest in the game, the players deserve it. 
 

Larin, Wellington, Matsuki, Charles, Wood, Bragg, & Edozie to come in I suspect.  50/50 on Bragg, Wood/Wellington. 
 

Peretz, Bree, THB, Wood, Wellington, Downes, Bragg, Charles, Matsuki, Edozie, Larin.  

 

Agree it should be a full house … disappointing if not

Less agreement on the amount of changes, don’t think it’s necessary to do that much.  Apart from GK and RB (maybe Azaz but Matsuki can play 10) we do pretty much have two players for each position. But for impetus I think changing more than 3 or 4 is excessive.

Think Downes will play, maybe with Charles, back 5 unchanged except possibly Manning/Wellington.

There are options across the front 4 but I see Scienza starting along with Azaz unless he’s cooked. Matsuki comes In for either Azaz or Fellows imho. Larin or Stewart?? Up to the medical team re Stewart I suspect.

Win tomorrow and we’ve virtually secured a playoff place (remarkable from where we were); I hope we go strong and get it done ASAP.

[Saint Pete]

Downes has played the full 90 mins in the last 2 games so wouldn't be surprised if he starts on the bench. So if Azaz is out, it could be Bragg and Jander in midfield with Charles in front of them? Matsuki and Scienza in the wide positions and would expect Larin to start with Stewart coming on later. I wouldn't mess with the back 4 unless we absolutely have to and someone really needs a rest. 

[Saint Pete]

Just thinking, if Bree was injured who would replace him at RB? Is Jelert fit? Along with the lkeeper, it's probably the only position where we don't have obvious ready made replacement. Credit to Bree for making that spot his own in last few months. 

[SouthWalesSaints]

43 minutes ago, Oisin said:

Agree it should be a full house … disappointing if not

Less agreement on the amount of changes, don’t think it’s necessary to do that much.  Apart from GK and RB (maybe Azaz but Matsuki can play 10) we do pretty much have two players for each position. But for impetus I think changing more than 3 or 4 is excessive.

Think Downes will play, maybe with Charles, back 5 unchanged except possibly Manning/Wellington.

There are options across the front 4 but I see Scienza starting along with Azaz unless he’s cooked. Matsuki comes In for either Azaz or Fellows imho. Larin or Stewart?? Up to the medical team re Stewart I suspect.

Win tomorrow and we’ve virtually secured a playoff place (remarkable from where we were); I hope we go strong and get it done ASAP.

Just to be clear, that’s what I expect him to do. Not what I’d do. 

Azaz won’t start, it’ll be Charles.  Stephens has to miss one game, I expect this and/or Bristol City.  He might keep Jander for Bragg and Scienza for Edozie.  I just think he’ll view this as the one to make changes.  Let’s see.