Norwich vs Saints - Wednesday 1945

[Jack]

Norwich have been conceding goals and chances for fun. Apparently on Saturday they were a lot better than they have been recently, but from the highlights Swansea missed a load of big chances as well as scoring 2. They’re decent going forward but look wide open at the back, they don’t seem to protect the back 4 very well. We’ve been shit away but surely it’ll click at some point. 

[sfc4prem]

Our away form can't continue as it is to stand a decent chance of automatics. A tense and nervy win? I'd fackin snap your hand off for one.

[Harry_SFC]

1 hour ago, Jack said:

Norwich have been conceding goals and chances for fun. Apparently on Saturday they were a lot better than they have been recently, but from the highlights Swansea missed a load of big chances as well as scoring 2. They’re decent going forward but look wide open at the back, they don’t seem to protect the back 4 very well. We’ve been shit away but surely it’ll click at some point. 

Their two best players (Toure and McLean) are both out injured too. 

[Scoobysaint]

I may be totally wrong but I can’t see Leo playing this game. At one point before he came off on Sunday, may even have been in the first half, he was stretching him hamstring. Although I’m sure the tactics necessitated it, he may well have come off anyway. He didn’t seem quite as explosive or dynamic after the stretching. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

5 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Prob not best to drop Bree (head wound aside) after scoring the winner on Sunday.

...but he does have a head wound - that "needs stitches".

You can't 'put that aside'.

[SW11_Saint]

On 11/10/2026 at 17:50, AlexLaw76 said:

Larin is going to need 'rotating' this week, at some point.

Bolton probably. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

9 hours ago, saintant said:

Disagree with this. We have the following who were not starters against Pompey; Wellington, Wood, Abbott, Roerslev, Jander, Matsuki, Fellows, Edozie, Mubama, Dobbin.

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

[Saint_clark]

2 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

I mean, the reason Dobbin, Mubama, Edozie, Fellows, Roerslev, Abbott and Welington don't start is because the player ahead of them in their position is the obvious best choice. All of them would walk into over half the sides in the championship.

Edited yesterday at 01:15 by Saint_clark

[Tommy Mulgrew]

 

3 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

Sorry to disagree.

This is what saintant replied to:

The problem he’s got is squad quality beyond the obvious starters is not great.

And all those who you list would probably start for most Championship sides.  Just because they are not frequent starters for us does not mean that they are poor (ie “not great”) quality.

I’m posting at 11.00pm from a place in South Ontario near Brampton!

[Football Special]

6 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

Listening to the Total Saints Podcast reminded me of Sam Edozie's injury up at Norwich back in the 23/24 season, he was on a good run of form then and looking promising, terrible challenge by Jack Stacey who still plays for them and a likely candidate for the "clatter Scienza in first 5 mins role" 

That injury really set Edozie back, he's never really looked the same since 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Leo is a marked man. Surprised Saints haven't pushed it to the referees for his protection.

[Toadhall Saint]

8 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

...but he does have a head wound - that "needs stitches".

You can't 'put that aside'.

If on medical grounds he needs to be replaced then so be it.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Listening to the Total Saints Podcast reminded me of Sam Edozie's injury up at Norwich back in the 23/24 season, he was on a good run of form then and looking promising, terrible challenge by Jack Stacey who still plays for them and a likely candidate for the "clatter Scienza in first 5 mins role" 

That injury really set Edozie back, he's never really looked the same since 

He really hasn't has he. It's like that sucked all the confidence out if him. He might get that back one day, but it would need a run in the team for him to build up to it and he's not going to get that unless Leo gets a long term injury. 

Without that he's useless as an impact sub, because he has about as much impact as a sponge hitting a pillow.

[Toadhall Saint]

19 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Leo is a marked man. Surprised Saints haven't pushed it to the referees for his protection.

How do you know they haven’t?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

34 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

How do you know they haven’t?

How do we know they have?!

Maybe that he still gets clattered? Without much punishment for the opposition?

Edited 21 hours ago by JohnnyShearer2.0

[saintoaks]

They are not in a good place currently, excellent chance of getting a positive result. Big week. UTS

[Fabrice29]

9 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

This place is mad. What is this guff 😂

[saintant]

9 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Seriously? Let’s explore this…

Welington - he has enough quality to be a starter, but he’s literally not getting a start. Why?

Wood - was not getting a start for ages, then suddenly he’s starting. Had struck up a decent partnership with Deven but then dropped for Pimpley. Will he be back for Norwich…possibly.

Abbott - not started in a first team game - what makes you think he’s good enough now?

Roeslev - when did he last start a game? Why now?

Jander - will start ahead of Bragg and possibly even JWP - the one player you’d expect to start now.

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

Fellows - not starting games presumably because Tonda doesn’t rate him enough to start. Not even getting off the bench much lately.

Edozie - hardly ever gets a start, presumably because he offers so little and Tonda doesn’t trust him to deliver.

Mubama - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why.

Dobbin - how many starts has he had? How many times off the bench? Not good enough, that’s why?

Sorry, but when you look at it closely, our squad beyond the obvious starters is not that strong. I reckon there will likely be no more than 3 players rotated on Wednesday…Wood, Jander…possibly Matsuki.

Blimey! Roll on the January window 🙂

[Saint Fan CaM]

8 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

I mean, the reason Dobbin, Mubama, Edozie, Fellows, Roerslev, Abbott and Welington don't start is because the player ahead of them in their position is the obvious best choice. All of them would walk into over half the sides in the championship.

I said pretty much the same thing - my contention was that many of those players are not capable of rotating into the first team as starters en masse. IMO only Welington and Woods - possibly Fellows - are capable of doing that AND getting a result away from home.

[Saint Fan CaM]

59 minutes ago, saintant said:

Blimey! Roll on the January window 🙂

Mate - you’ve not answered the questions and yes, roll on the January window…we’ll likely need a decent striker (again).

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, Fabrice29 said:

This place is mad. What is this guff 😂

Get back in your hole. 🙄😉

[Saint Fan CaM]

7 hours ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

 

Sorry to disagree.

This is what saintant replied to:

The problem he’s got is squad quality beyond the obvious starters is not great.

And all those who you list would probably start for most Championship sides.  Just because they are not frequent starters for us does not mean that they are poor (ie “not great”) quality.

I’m posting at 11.00pm from a place in South Ontario near Brampton!

Errr, that’s not what I said in the context of the original post. Saintant seemed to suggest that wholesale changes would be made from the players listed. My contention was that Tonda would not make wholesale changes because there’s not the quality there to allow that and thereby risk a bad result.

[SouthWalesSaints]

Any advice on parking? It’s one of the worst away games of the season for me. Around 5 1/2 hours. So keen to get out quick (after fist pumping crowd gesturing antics) after a 2-0 win. 
 

Never like playing out of form teams as we always seem to roll over but I get the feeling our lot are about to put a run together.  Big three points at stake, worst case a draw and a big win at home Saturday.

Edited 18 hours ago by SouthWalesSaints

[sockeye]

11 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Matsuki - could be a starter if Tonda thought that suited the game plan…not happening much though.

He's started the majority of league games this season

I don't expect to see him start much from now on but that speaks more to the quality of our midfield

[Toadhall Saint]

3 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

How do we know they have?!

Maybe that he still gets clattered? Without much punishment for the opposition?

Yeah let’s go and have a quiet word with the ref

SFC “hey ref you need to come down hard on anyone fouling Leo ok?” 

Ref “you’re not telling me how to do my job are you? Well are you?”

SFC “of course not but…….”

Ref “didn’t think so.”
 

 

[Fabrice29]

46 minutes ago, sockeye said:

He's started the majority of league games this season

I don't expect to see him start much from now on but that speaks more to the quality of our midfield

He’s a massive player for us. I’d be a little surprised if he’s not in tomorrow. 

[Gloucester Saint]

19 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

He’s a massive player for us. I’d be a little surprised if he’s not in tomorrow. 

Plus he didn’t start Sunday. 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Any advice on parking? It’s one of the worst away games of the season for me. Around 5 1/2 hours. So keen to get out quick (after fist pumping crowd gesturing antics) after a 2-0 win. 
 

Never like playing out of form teams as we always seem to roll over but I get the feeling our lot are about to put a run together.  Big three points at stake, worst case a draw and a big win at home Saturday.

Norwich have lost a few in a row but their form in terms of performances hasnt been that bad, defeats by a single goal, 2-1 at Swansea and noticeably two 4-3 defeats, one at Middlesbrough where it was a stoppage time goal, and home to Bolton 

Perhaps it will be another high scoring affair , I'll go for a replay of this classic 

 

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Errr, that’s not what I said in the context of the original post. Saintant seemed to suggest that wholesale changes would be made from the players listed. My contention was that Tonda would not make wholesale changes because there’s not the quality there to allow that and thereby risk a bad result.

Point me to where I said this. All I did was list some squad players many of who are perfectly capable of doing a job in the first team if required through injury/rotation or suspension.

[ant]

3 hours ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Any advice on parking?

On previous visits I've tended to follow the advice of awaygames.co.uk and park in the County Hall Car Park. 

Close to the main roads for a relatively speedy exit afterwards, and can't be more than 10 mins walk to the ground. There's some decent stops en route if so inclined.

[manji]

3 hours ago, Football Special said:

Norwich have lost a few in a row but their form in terms of performances hasnt been that bad, defeats by a single goal, 2-1 at Swansea and noticeably two 4-3 defeats, one at Middlesbrough where it was a stoppage time goal, and home to Bolton 

Perhaps it will be another high scoring affair , I'll go for a replay of this classic 

 

What a game that was. 

[Tommy Mulgrew]

6 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Errr, that’s not what I said in the context of the original post. Saintant seemed to suggest that wholesale changes would be made from the players listed. My contention was that Tonda would not make wholesale changes because there’s not the quality there to allow that and thereby risk a bad result.

I saw it differently.  Saintant was responding to your comment about making “some changes”.  The players listed are perfectly capable of starting for us if the number of changes made (ie “some”) is sensibly less than wholesale.  I see that he has already responded to your post, too.  A few rotated changes would be no bad thing in a congested fixture list, imo; he made changes for the Pompey game and could easily do so again against Norwich.

I think all three of us more or less agree, tbh.  Let’s leave it there. (The thanksgiving long weekend is/was not the time for an unnecessary argument.)
 

Let’s all march on.

[benjii]

6 hours ago, SouthWalesSaints said:

Any advice on parking? 

Get a bloke to help, luv.

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 hour ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

I saw it differently.  Saintant was responding to your comment about making “some changes”.  The players listed are perfectly capable of starting for us if the number of changes made (ie “some”) is sensibly less than wholesale.  I see that he has already responded to your post, too.  A few rotated changes would be no bad thing in a congested fixture list, imo; he made changes for the Pompey game and could easily do so again against Norwich.

I think all three of us more or less agree, tbh.  Let’s leave it there. (The thanksgiving long weekend is/was not the time for an unnecessary argument.)
 

Let’s all march on.

Happy to agree on reflection - I think there was a misunderstanding on both sides. To your point, I did say that I expected 2-3 players to be rotated but no more.

[bangkoksaint]

Unfortunately have to rely on Sky Sports + tomorrow. It’s been a shambles this season and tonight loads of games have gone down. 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

8 hours ago, Football Special said:

Norwich have lost a few in a row but their form in terms of performances hasnt been that bad, defeats by a single goal, 2-1 at Swansea and noticeably two 4-3 defeats, one at Middlesbrough where it was a stoppage time goal, and home to Bolton 

Perhaps it will be another high scoring affair , I'll go for a replay of this classic 

 

Yep, bit of a classic...the U21s involved in a similar game tonight up in that neck-ish of the woods

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cmzxl5z0z3e0t

Edited 9 hours ago by TheAlehouseBrawlers
Just seen being covered in 'other games' thread

[LGTL]

8 hours ago, Football Special said:

Norwich have lost a few in a row but their form in terms of performances hasnt been that bad, defeats by a single goal, 2-1 at Swansea and noticeably two 4-3 defeats, one at Middlesbrough where it was a stoppage time goal, and home to Bolton 

Perhaps it will be another high scoring affair , I'll go for a replay of this classic 

 

If we’re going there, I’d probably prefer the 5-4 win 😂

Second half MLT hat trick and a 90th minute winner from Monkou. Mental game

[Harry_SFC]

Feel like we have to win this one really. A loss would put us 10 points behind the leaders already. 

[die Mannyschaft]

7 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Feel like we have to win this one really. A loss would put us 10 points behind the leaders already. 

Need a win at Norwich then same for Bolton Saturday if serious contenders gor top2. A win and draw from either game still keeps momentum going. Don't think makes much difference if end up 3rd or 4th or 5th to 8th. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

9 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Yeah let’s go and have a quiet word with the ref

SFC “hey ref you need to come down hard on anyone fouling Leo ok?” 

Ref “you’re not telling me how to do my job are you? Well are you?”

SFC “of course not but…….”

Ref “didn’t think so.”
 

 

Taking it way too seriously.

Would you not think clubs go to the FA / referees association (or whatever it is) and point out what's going on and issues? Whether anything gets done is a different matter.

Why the fuck would saints go to individual referees, that was not what I was implying. If you think I was, then hopefully you can see I've clarified it.

[Football Special]

25 minutes ago, LGTL said:

If we’re going there, I’d probably prefer the 5-4 win 😂

Second half MLT hat trick and a 90th minute winner from Monkou. Mental game

Great shout! We've had some mad games with them over the years , even the 4-4 at home under Russell Martin 

[SaintTex]

On 11/10/2026 at 13:57, Give it to Ron said:

We tried to extend his contract though he refused it - 18 games in 3 years and we tried to re-sign him and he turned us down.

looks like he is maintaining his typical work rate with Swansea.. 34 total minutes so far this season.

[macca155]

50 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Feel like we have to win this one really. A loss would put us 10 points behind the leaders already. 

Start with a draw, that's ok, stay unbeaten and build momentum. A win would be a bonus.

Have to forget about the -4, it makes the season feel average, when in reality it's way better than when we went up. If we had the real 17 points tonight, we'd all be sleeping very soundly.

There's 36 games to go, squads will be hit by injuries and suspensions. Very few have the depth of Saints and West Ham. I'm not expecting that -4 to be wiped out until well after Christmas.

In addition either Princewill will get his chance, as he's surely done enough now.  Or they'll buy a striker in January. That will be the icing on the cake.

[Football Special]

On 12/10/2026 at 19:28, Jack said:

Norwich have been conceding goals and chances for fun. Apparently on Saturday they were a lot better than they have been recently, but from the highlights Swansea missed a load of big chances as well as scoring 2. They’re decent going forward but look wide open at the back, they don’t seem to protect the back 4 very well. We’ve been shit away but surely it’ll click at some point. 

Its mad they were talking tonight on sky sports news about Boro being the entertainers with 20 scored and 14 conceded in their 10 games so far, yet when you look at Norwich (who have played a game less) they have scored 17 (only bettered by Boro, West Ham and Saints) but also conceded 19 (only Preston have conceded more having played a game more) ,

 

Worth a few quid on both teams to score? 

[Saint_clark]

4 hours ago, macca155 said:

Start with a draw, that's ok, stay unbeaten and build momentum. A win would be a bonus.

Have to forget about the -4, it makes the season feel average, when in reality it's way better than when we went up. If we had the real 17 points tonight, we'd all be sleeping very soundly.

There's 36 games to go, squads will be hit by injuries and suspensions. Very few have the depth of Saints and West Ham. I'm not expecting that -4 to be wiped out until well after Christmas.

In addition either Princewill will get his chance, as he's surely done enough now.  Or they'll buy a striker in January. That will be the icing on the cake.

Yep, more wins than Birmingham in third and West Ham, only West Ham have scored more goals than us, only QPR and Swansea have conceded less. The -4 will skew things likely till we're over half way.

[AlexLaw76]

7 hours ago, macca155 said:

Start with a draw, that's ok, stay unbeaten and build momentum. A win would be a bonus.

Have to forget about the -4, it makes the season feel average, when in reality it's way better than when we went up. If we had the real 17 points tonight, we'd all be sleeping very soundly.

There's 36 games to go, squads will be hit by injuries and suspensions. Very few have the depth of Saints and West Ham. I'm not expecting that -4 to be wiped out until well after Christmas.

In addition either Princewill will get his chance, as he's surely done enough now.  Or they'll buy a striker in January. That will be the icing on the cake.

You can’t have bottom half away form and expect to go up

[Harry_SFC]

7 hours ago, macca155 said:

Start with a draw, that's ok, stay unbeaten and build momentum. A win would be a bonus.

Have to forget about the -4, it makes the season feel average, when in reality it's way better than when we went up. If we had the real 17 points tonight, we'd all be sleeping very soundly.

There's 36 games to go, squads will be hit by injuries and suspensions. Very few have the depth of Saints and West Ham. I'm not expecting that -4 to be wiped out until well after Christmas.

In addition either Princewill will get his chance, as he's surely done enough now.  Or they'll buy a striker in January. That will be the icing on the cake.

Our next two away games are West Ham and an in form West Brom. I'd take a point at West Ham and possibly West Brom but cmon, we should be beating Norwich if we are serious.

Edited 7 minutes ago by Harry_SFC