Saints vs Millwall - Saturday 3pm

[Middlewordie]

9 hours ago, saintant said:

Unfortunately our midfield options are very limited and that will probably mean 3 relatively easy points for a powerful Millwall side.

Millwall CF and CBs are physically imposing, rest of them less so, but they are all committed - their fans/club dont tolerate anything less. I dont think our options are so limited though or that we will neccessarily lose. Larin can definitely keep their CBs busy. We clearly need JWP and Flynn to come out firing with come controlled aggression and plenty of direct fwd passing. Scienza should to stick to their right back - he's their get out man when they have the ball in the back 4 and is the place to start the press. And tell the rest of the team that anyone who comes off without a yellow card is getting fined.

Edited 12 hours ago by Middlewordie

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Will be a tough game.

Really need to get back to the more direct play we had in the second half of the season. 

Unfortunately neither Wood nor Stephens is as adept as THB on the ball and we've ended up losing the ball a lot.

[Patches O Houlihan]

On 26/08/2026 at 18:46, Middlewordie said:

Millwalls defence isnt very good at dealing with the through ball - not much pace there. I went to the game against Norwich and Norwich created plenty of chances but finishing was terrible. And they had a man sent off. Conversely Millwall attack the same way generally, lots of through balls in channels. I think they are very beatable but you have to run your socks off.

Downes & JWP in the middle will be barefoot all game! 
Feed Azaz and there’ll be plenty of through balls to run onto. Maybe Archer to start on the left (if he’s still here) with Scienza as a super sub later on?

[CSA96]

Eckert press conference summary pre-Millwall:

- there's not really anything new with THB
- there is interest and there are conversations
- no further updates since Tuesday though
- I am speaking with him every day and at the moment he's our player
- Schlotterbeck brings over 150 games in the Bundesliga and he's captained his club
- I think it's one of the best leagues in Europe
- It was important for me to have a left footed centre back
- He's good in the air too and I think he can help us straightaway
- Every team is in evolution and every summer you need some fresh blood and new faces
- Very happy that we managed to get Keven
- Last days of the window are always very busy but I think we're in a good way
- We were hoping to have Caspar returning a bit quicker
- That was the initial plan but it has taken a bit longer
- That's because his muscle didn't react too well to the initial training sessions a week ago
- The last days have been positive again so I'm hoping we'll have him very soon
- He will definitely be playing before the international break
- Roerslev is looking good physically, I think the competition for him with James Bree is not the easiest but he looks good
- Every player needs some competition but I think James Bree has been consistent
- He knows what I think of him and how much I rate him as a player and a character
- I think preseasons can be a little bit more complex in terms of where the team is at when you start playing competitive games
- Yes they do relate to preseason and yes they do relate to physical levels but I think the dynamic especially towards the end of that window was more complex than just the physical state of the players
- We've had a deep dive like we always do after the game to know where we stand in comparison to other teams around the league
- We know how that looks for Premier League teams, Championship teams and teams in L1 and L2
- It's true that there's a way to go and there's levels to go for us as a team
- But the dynamics behind where we are at the moment I think they are more complex than just the amount of weeks that you spend in pre-season
- To give you an example, I think Finn Azaz is at one of the best physical levels and he probably had the most interrupted preseason 
- It's something we always look at and we consider after every game but we need to step up now, also physically - but the dynamics have been complex
- I think every season is a new start and a new dynamic, always
- There are certain behaviours, a way of protecting each other on the pitch, a way of accepting that there are going to be mistakes on the pitch and moments that don't go our way
- Then it's about our reaction to those moments in games
- I think that is something we need to work on, we will get better at it
- First of all we've got a very good opposition on Saturday
- They had a very good season and they were fighting for direct promotion last season
- They were almost there last season and now they started with two wins
- They have a very, very clear identity and it's clear for us to know what's coming
- The basis of their game is on their defensive structure and then they give themselves some quick solutions for going forward, lots of crosses that we will have to defend
- We know exactly what is coming up so it's for us to take that as it is and show where we are
- If you look at the players Millwall have bought in the summer, they fit very clearly with what Alex Neil wants to do
- They brought in a new player and he scored straightaway, they have changed a little bit how they play up front but the defence has been consistent 
- I think this game comes at the right time for us to show what we are about

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Eckert press conference summary pre-Millwall:

- there's not really anything new with THB
- there is interest and there are conversations
- no further updates since Tuesday though
- I am speaking with him every day and at the moment he's our player
- Schlotterbeck brings over 150 games in the Bundesliga and he's captained his club
- I think it's one of the best leagues in Europe
- It was important for me to have a left footed centre back
- He's good in the air too and I think he can help us straightaway
- Every team is in evolution and every summer you need some fresh blood and new faces
- Very happy that we managed to get Keven
- Last days of the window are always very busy but I think we're in a good way
- We were hoping to have Caspar returning a bit quicker
- That was the initial plan but it has taken a bit longer
- That's because his muscle didn't react too well to the initial training sessions a week ago
- The last days have been positive again so I'm hoping we'll have him very soon
- He will definitely be playing before the international break
- Roerslev is looking good physically, I think the competition for him with James Bree is not the easiest but he looks good
- Every player needs some competition but I think James Bree has been consistent
- He knows what I think of him and how much I rate him as a player and a character
- I think preseasons can be a little bit more complex in terms of where the team is at when you start playing competitive games
- Yes they do relate to preseason and yes they do relate to physical levels but I think the dynamic especially towards the end of that window was more complex than just the physical state of the players
- We've had a deep dive like we always do after the game to know where we stand in comparison to other teams around the league
- We know how that looks for Premier League teams, Championship teams and teams in L1 and L2
- It's true that there's a way to go and there's levels to go for us as a team
- But the dynamics behind where we are at the moment I think they are more complex than just the amount of weeks that you spend in pre-season
- To give you an example, I think Finn Azaz is at one of the best physical levels and he probably had the most interrupted preseason 
- It's something we always look at and we consider after every game but we need to step up now, also physically - but the dynamics have been complex
- I think every season is a new start and a new dynamic, always
- There are certain behaviours, a way of protecting each other on the pitch, a way of accepting that there are going to be mistakes on the pitch and moments that don't go our way
- Then it's about our reaction to those moments in games
- I think that is something we need to work on, we will get better at it
- First of all we've got a very good opposition on Saturday
- They had a very good season and they were fighting for direct promotion last season
- They were almost there last season and now they started with two wins
- They have a very, very clear identity and it's clear for us to know what's coming
- The basis of their game is on their defensive structure and then they give themselves some quick solutions for going forward, lots of crosses that we will have to defend
- We know exactly what is coming up so it's for us to take that as it is and show where we are
- If you look at the players Millwall have bought in the summer, they fit very clearly with what Alex Neil wants to do
- They brought in a new player and he scored straightaway, they have changed a little bit how they play up front but the defence has been consistent 
- I think this game comes at the right time for us to show what we are about

Surprised Blackmore didn't ask a single question about JWP...

[hypochondriac]

Personally I think it reflects quite poorly on THB that he essentially isn't prepared to play until we let him leave. 

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, trousers said:

Surprised Blackmore didn't ask a single question about JWP...

Expect they agreed beforehand not to you'd imagine. It will probably be announced later today. Are we to assume that the bit about Jander definitely playing before the international break a signal that he won't be sold in the next few days?

[tdmickey3]

5 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Personally I think it reflects quite poorly on THB that he essentially isn't prepared to play until we let him leave. 

Where does it say that? apologises if I have missed it.

[CSA96]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Expect they agreed beforehand not to you'd imagine. It will probably be announced later today. Are we to assume that the bit about Jander definitely playing before the international break a signal that he won't be sold in the next few days?

Yeah, exactly. Adam was saying last night that JWP would be announced today so they probably agreed to park the JWP questions until the embargoed part of the press conference so they all have quotes on it later when it's announced. They might also be getting some access to JWP if he's at Staplewood today so there's that too

[Willo of Whiteley]

7 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Personally I think it reflects quite poorly on THB that he essentially isn't prepared to play until we let him leave. 

Literally doesn’t say that anywhere.

[trousers]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Are we to assume that the bit about Jander definitely playing before the international break a signal that he won't be sold in the next few days?

I guess it could be interpreted either way... *If* we were looking to sell him, you'd want to put out a message that he's on the cusp of returning to full fitness, rather than be downbeat about his recuperation. But fingers crossed  that it's more likely to be your hunch than my hypothetical one

Edited 7 hours ago by trousers

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, tdmickey3 said:

Where does it say that? apologises if I have missed it.

It doesn't say it. Charles was on the bench for his final game, THB has not been and will miss three games in a row. That says a lot.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Literally doesn’t say that anywhere.

I didn't say it did.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

I guess it could be interpreted either way... *If* we were looking to sell him, you'd want to put out a message that he's on the cusp of returning to full fitness, rather than be downbeat about his recuperation. But fingers cross led that it's more likely to be your hunch than my hypothetical one

What does muscles reacted badly to training even mean?

[tdmickey3]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

It doesn't say it. Charles was on the bench for his final game, THB has not been and will miss three games in a row. That says a lot.

Has it occurred to you that because of the speculation that it might be TE `s choice?

[CSA96]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

What does muscles reacted badly to training even mean?

Swelling, tightness and/or cramps usually

[saintant]

Peretz

Bree Wood Schlott Manning

Downes JWP

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Larin

Edited 7 hours ago by saintant

[Football Special]

25 minutes ago, saintant said:

Peretz

Bree Wood Schlott Manning

Downes JWP

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Larin

JWP will need to be registered by lunchtime today to be able to play? 

[saintant]

13 minutes ago, Football Special said:

JWP will need to be registered by lunchtime today to be able to play? 

I'd imagine he will be. If not I guess it'll be Bragg or Matsuki.

[Football Special]

40 minutes ago, saintant said:

I'd imagine he will be. If not I guess it'll be Bragg or Matsuki.

Confirmed he can play apparently so is available 

[The Wyvern]

JWP on the bench surely? 

[hypochondriac]

15 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

JWP on the bench surely? 

I'd be starting him. It would give the crowd a big lift too.

[Pamplemousse]

Given our lack of midfield options it's a no brainer that JWP starts. Downes with Bragg/Matsuki has been a disaster so far.

[GentleFeast]

Going to be a tough game for Larin with their cb's Cooper and Taylor being 6.5ft plus. Hopefully the three behind can find some space around their big men. 

[hypochondriac]

38 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Given our lack of midfield options it's a no brainer that JWP starts. Downes with Bragg/Matsuki has been a disaster so far.

Indeed. What do we have to lose? Lets say he plays badly, it would be tough to perform worse than the central midfield of Bragg/Matsuki out of position and Downes. 

[Jack]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

I'd be starting him. It would give the crowd a big lift too.

Give him the fucking armband if it makes it easier to drop a certain centre back 

[Lighthouse]

4 hours ago, saintant said:

Peretz

Bree Wood Schlott Manning

Downes JWP

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Larin

Stephens for Wood but otherwise surely this has to be the team. 

[VectisSaint]

5 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Expect they agreed beforehand not to you'd imagine. It will probably be announced later today. Are we to assume that the bit about Jander definitely playing before the international break a signal that he won't be sold in the next few days?

He didn't say who he would be playing for (playing devil's advocate)

[Nolan]

Peretz

Bree Wood Schlotterbeck Manning

Downes Ward-Prowse

Matsuki Azaz Scienza

Larin

 

 

I like how much of the pitch Schlotterbeck takes up in the back line. Most of the pitch covered.

[The Wyvern]

Loads of tickets left for this one. The club have got their pricing for these opening games wrong.