Lincoln vs Saints - Saturday 1230

[Saint In Cornwall]

NB

Any fans travelling by train who were planning to go back to Kings Cross on the 1520 from Lincoln - it has been cancelled 

[Suhari]

Is this their cup final?

[Cuddles]

Just now, Suhari said:

Is this their cup final?

No I think the bestest (Karen FC) have already played them.

[benjii]

Start Welington? More physical than manning. Likewise Matsuki over Fellows for me.

There's even a case for bringing Scienza on later once the ref has booked a few and after they can give him a shoeing. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

14 minutes ago, benjii said:

Start Welington? More physical than manning. Likewise Matsuki over Fellows for me.

There's even a case for bringing Scienza on later once the ref has booked a few and after they can give him a shoeing. 

Starting Edozie days after he issues a transfer request - It's a bold strategy, but I like the thinking. Plus he would be just as good at drawing fouls as Scienza which JWP (and possibly Manning if he's on the pitch) could exploit.

[CSA96]

Edited 3 hours ago by CSA96

[Wade Garrett]

How the fuck has Stephens has got a place in the side?

Good team apart from that.  He’s fucking shite in the air as well.

Edited 3 hours ago by Wade Garrett

[benjii]

CALLED WELI

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

 

Stephens? Just why? I'm not Wood's biigest fan, but fuck me he's a lot more physical and aggressive than Captain Marvellous. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Lee On Solent Saint

[ButtikonSaint]

Good enough starting eleven and bench to get the 3 points....
A bit of rotation... keeping all parties involved.
That strategy was successful last year so why not - plenty of matches to go around in a very long season.

Let's goooooo

[CSA96]

Tonda spoke in the embargoed bit of the press conference about the importance of technical ability against Lincoln, who typically sit deep and play direct on the break. Said his view was that we needed to keep the ball on the floor as much as possible, I am guessing that's why Stephens gets the nod over Wood, Ward-Prowse over Bragg, Matsuki over Fellows - etc

Edited 3 hours ago by CSA96

[Saint NL]

From the comments in here, people called Welington and Matsuki, no one expected Stephens though 🤣

Edozie on the bench, I have no idea if he's coming or going

[Saint Pete]

So we come out of transfer window and Stephens back as first choice and captain. LOL! Oh well, it's not fair to forget that he did do a reasonable job for much of last season so let's hope for the best. Otherwise, a strong lineup, Manning rested so JWP fully on set piece duties! 

Edited 3 hours ago by Saint Pete

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, CSA96 said:

Tonda spoke in the embargoed bit of the press conference about the importance of technical ability against Lincoln, who typically sit deep and play direct on the break. So I am guessing that's why Stephens gets the nod over Wood, Ward-Prowse over Bragg, Matsuki over Fellows - etc.

Stephens and technical ability should never be said in the same sentence. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

Just now, CSA96 said:

Tonda spoke in the embargoed bit of the press conference about the importance of technical ability against Lincoln, who typically sit deep and play direct on the break. So I am guessing that's why Stephens gets the nod over Wood, Ward-Prowse over Bragg, Matsuki over Fellows - etc.

Wood is quicker, more physical, a better header and reads the game better than Stephens - so in his case this isn't a sensible argument. I think he's done it be cause "it's only Lincoln" and Jack can save face, by looking like he's part of a rotation.

[CSA96]

Just now, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Stephens and technical ability should never be said in the same sentence. 

Have you seen Nathan Wood on the ball? It's like his brain is on dial-up

[CSA96]

Just now, Patches O Houlihan said:

Wood is quicker, more physical, a better header and reads the game better than Stephens - so in his case this isn't a sensible argument. I think he's done it be cause "it's only Lincoln" and Jack can save face, by looking like he's part of a rotation.

I don't think he reads the game that well or is better on the ball than Stephens, but agree with the first three. Will be interesting to see if Wood comes back in for Swansea and is just being rested for this one

[DellBlockH]

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

[Patches O Houlihan]

2 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

I don't think he reads the game that well or is better on the ball than Stephens, but agree with the first three. Will be interesting to see if Wood comes back in for Swansea and is just being rested for this one

I didn't say Wood is better on the ball - we both know he's crap. What he is better at is dealing with the inevitable aerial bombardment, and also chasing back when they hit us on the break.

[Verbal]

10 minutes ago, benjii said:

CALLED WELI

He's busy

[tdmickey3]

Calamity 🤣 ridiculous choice against a physical side, no clean sheet with at least 1 giveaway 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

Have you seen Nathan Wood on the ball? It's like his brain is on dial-up

True, but is Stephens any better? Trying to be clever against Watford cost us a goal as he attempted a stupid pass. At least Wood in the main knows his limitations and clears his lines when he has to.

[RedArmy]

1 minute ago, DellBlockH said:

Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out.

He is.

Last season was the anomaly, the rest of his career follows the same pattern.  Mistakes, marking thin air and not a leader on the pitch. 

[CSA96]

2 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

Football is basically a game of mistakes. When you're watching second division football, or football lower down, there will be even more mistakes. It's borderline hysterical now every time the name Stephens gets mentioned. Not sure I would've started him against a team as physical and focused on set pieces as Lincoln but agree with the broader points

[SNSUN]

Is Roerslev injured? I know he's only a right back and can't play anywhere else, and Abbott now can play right back, but I'm still surprised he doesn't make a bench, especially as he's the main back up to Breezy. Thought this would be a good game to have him there. 

Otherwise team is decent. Jack alongside Sclotterbeck will be interesting. Experience there. Welington more defensively minded than Manning and with JWP in the team we won't miss Manning's set pieces too much.

I'm team Matsuki over team Fellows so happy with that. The rest is as it should be. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

I hope Welington keeps his nerve and plays a sensible game - he is far more suited to this game than Manning’s walk-abouts. Stephens over Wood is quite the surprise which could come back to bite Tonda - Abbotts on the bench, but unless we’re 4 up I can’t see a change being made. And MLG says CB’s are rarely subbed anyway. 😉🤣

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

He is a ball watcher, physically weak, poor in the air for CB and prone to passing to opposition 

[Wade Garrett]

6 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

I’m sure he’s great in the dressing room but the fact is he’s fucking shite on the pitch.  Absolute fucking dogshit.

[CSA96]

2 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

I didn't say Wood is better on the ball - we both know he's crap. What he is better at is dealing with the inevitable aerial bombardment, and also chasing back when they hit us on the break.

Not to go all MLG, but (here it comes) my original point was that he's a better passer and Eckert spoke about the importance of those traits and keeping the ball on the floor in his press conference. You then said 'this isn't a sensible argument' which I took to mean you think Stephens isn't an improvement on the ball

I agree btw, against a team as direct as Lincoln I would've been sticking with Wood and his block head over Stephens

[Saint NL]

Stephens was under pressure on the first game because he had to mark the space that Manning left behind him. With no Manning, hopefully that's less of an issue

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

I think the difference with Schlotterbeck was that it was his first game in England against a pretty physical and intense Birmingham team. Willing to cut him a bit of slack for that. No hate for Stephens, I just think we have better options and shouldn't keep playing him just because he's great to have around. 

[sfc4prem]

Ah shit, here we go again...

Captain Jack ahoy!

[CSA96]

5 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

True, but is Stephens any better? Trying to be clever against Watford cost us a goal as he attempted a stupid pass. At least Wood in the main knows his limitations and clears his lines when he has to.

Yes he is better on the ball, but he tried to be too clever against Watford in an attempt to retain possession and paid the price for it. Wood just gets rid of it more often, which does alleviate pressure but just coughs up the ball to the other team higher up the pitch, which is probably something that coaches don't necessarily appreciate either

[RedArmy]

2 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

Stephens was under pressure on the first game because he had to mark the space that Manning left behind him. With no Manning, hopefully that's less of an issue

A centre back having to defend? Oh no whatever next, someone will ask him to make a tackle? 

[CSA96]

2 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I think the difference with Schlotterbeck was that it was his first game in England against a pretty physical and intense Birmingham team. Willing to cut him a bit of slack for that. No hate for Stephens, I just think we have better options and shouldn't keep playing him just because he's great to have around. 

Augsburg fans (and journalists) have been pretty adamant that Schlotterbeck does make quite a few mistakes and apparently had a bit of a stinking pre-season... so it probably wasn't a one-off at Birmingham. They just appreciated his commitment and aggression and felt that over the longer run it made enough amends for the mistakes

[whelk]

10 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I don't get all the hate for Stephens. Yes, he made a couple of mistakes in the opening games. But Schlotterbeck was very lucky to get away with the couple he made against Birmingham. All players make mistakes. Stephens was very good in the last half of last season. He's not the best but he's also not as bad as people like to make out. And he can bring the ball out of defence. He's totally committed to the club and always puts in a full shift. It's good to keep him involved. He may not be everybody's favourite player but there's no need for the abuse he gets on here.

It’s not hate, we just can do better. THat said he is usually ok when coming back from being dropped and concentrates

[tdmickey3]

Just now, RedArmy said:

A centre back having to defend? Oh no whatever next, someone will ask him to make a tackle? 

He didn’t defend, he let him run to edge of six yard box and have a shot to score

[whelk]

That line up is ok. Very confident

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, CSA96 said:

Yes he is better on the ball, but he tried to be too clever against Watford in an attempt to retain possession and paid the price for it. Wood just gets rid of it more often, which does alleviate pressure but just coughs up the ball to the other team higher up the pitch, which is probably something that coaches don't necessarily appreciate either

Trying to be too clever seems a common theme in his career. Better to clear your lines than give it away to an attacker whose 10 yards away. Appreciate that's a philosphy from the 80's or 90's but sometimes it's a necessary evil. 

[whelk]

10 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Calamity 🤣 ridiculous choice against a physical side, no clean sheet with at least 1 giveaway 

Hysterical tart!

[Ex Lion Tamer]

2 minutes ago, whelk said:

That line up is ok. Very confident

Pretty decent bench at this level too 

[tdmickey3]

4 minutes ago, whelk said:

That line up is ok. Very confident

Happy clapper😉

[Zorba]

13 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

He is a ball watcher, physically weak, poor in the air for CB and prone to passing to opposition 

Yeah, but other than that..?

[Suhari]

Good line up that.

Welly in due to the physicality and directness I guess, which Tonda learnt about on here. Spying git.

 

Edit. Just seen Cap'n Jack is in. FFS. We're doomed.

Edited 2 hours ago by Suhari
Stephens. Nuts.

[RedArmy]

7 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

He didn’t defend, he let him run to edge of six yard box and have a shot to score

Manning didn’t make Stephens shit 10 years ago and it’s still not his fault today. 
 

The point was irrelevant anyway because Stephens will be lining up on the right side today. 

[bobby_charles]

Look we can't just stick with wood and schlotter because there will be a time rotation is important so better now than when there is no other choice. 

[whelk]

3 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Happy clapper😉

You wanted Tonda sacked every week last season. Have you not worked out he has more tactical nous than Saintsweb posters yet?

[Ken Tone]

Stephens is a good player. The problem is  just that he's not as good as he thinks he is.

Hence errors from being too clever and cocking up.

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, whelk said:

You wanted Tonda sacked every week last season. Have you not worked out he has more tactical nous than Saintsweb posters yet?

Never had you down as someone who makes stuff up.

Agree about TE tactical nous though just disagree with the selection of Stephens, thought different opinions were standard for football forums

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

28 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Stephens and technical ability should never be said in the same sentence. 

Agreed. Yet Wood is also pretty awful so you may as well spin a coin to see who plays. Personally I prefer Jack of the two but am hoping this Abbott loan works out well for us.