Preston 1-0 Saints - Match Thread

[stknowle]

6 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Don’t tell Whelk, only a couple of weeks apparently.

TBF most molluscs get over shoulder injuries inside 2 weeks.

[BS8Saint]

Champ gunna be so tight this season. We’d have all taken 5 points off top with -4 at this stage right?

[die Mannyschaft]

58 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Agree with all of that but Saints put themselves into that position by a total surrender in the first half and giving a PNE outfit something to hold onto. Goal was their attacking credit rather than poor defending.

Their players looked in better condition. Tonda and the board need to boost the fitness staff over the break. Far from the first time there has been a non-performance and apathy in the first period. 

Saints must be the slowest and unfit team in leaque. OK for burns of speed now and then but otherwise can't complete over 90 mins

[Lord Duckhunter]

9 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

The reason he was less effective today was because, predictably, PNE marked him very tightly having played with him last season and known all about his strengths and weaknesses.

Dear God. 
 

Knowing all his strengths 😂😂. Bet that part of the team meeting didn’t take long. 
 

He’s been pony all season, woeful. Unless he’s played for every single opponent, you’re just making excuses. He’s a dud so far, complete and utter dud. 

[SaintsfanSwindon]

This complacency issue we have when playing the lower half teams needs to be seriously addressed otherwise it may cost play offs let alone autos. And we need a decent striker in on the first day of the window right away not to be scrambling for scraps on deadline day. Hopefully Spors has options lined up. 

[madge]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

On another day we win comfortably. Same as Bolton and Wrexham matches. Never mind.

You win comfortably when you have decent striking options. But what spors has provided us with is appalling 

[macca155]

4 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Dear God. 
 

Knowing all his strengths 😂😂. Bet that part of the team meeting didn’t take long. 
 

He’s been pony all season, woeful. Unless he’s played for every single opponent, you’re just making excuses. He’s a dud so far, complete and utter dud. 

A tad harsh he's been quite lively but no way is he a CF. He plays just like Archer so why buy him. In that sense I agree a dud but.

I see Princewill scored another 2 this evening . 

[whelk]

29 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Don’t tell Whelk, only a couple of weeks apparently.

Schlott is made of sterner stuff than Stu. I do though appreciate we have fans who need to catastrophise everything though. 

[RedArmy]

8 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Dear God. 
 

Knowing all his strengths 😂😂. Bet that part of the team meeting didn’t take long. 
 

He’s been pony all season, woeful. Unless he’s played for every single opponent, you’re just making excuses. He’s a dud so far, complete and utter dud. 

A £9m dud. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

Sounds like Wood chucked his toys out of the pram, so got dropped from squad . 

[Pamplemousse]

Let's be honest, if we'd have said at the start at the start of the season we'd be in the playoff positions come the November international break, we'd have taken it. 

Quite clearly we fucked up in the summer. Not having another target man like striker after Stewart left was a mistake, one which many pointed out at the time.

I don't mind Dobbin but he's not a central figure who can hold the ball up.

[saintant]

Just watched the highlights. Blatant penalty at the end not given. That's two now in recent games.

[Football Special]

7 minutes ago, SaintsfanSwindon said:

This complacency issue we have when playing the lower half teams needs to be seriously addressed otherwise it may cost play offs let alone autos. And we need a decent striker in on the first day of the window right away not to be scrambling for scraps on deadline day. Hopefully Spors has options lined up. 

I'm not sure I'd call it complacency (is from some fans, but not players) 

Its more tactical and reflection of type of players we have. 

These teams all defend deep, physical, don't allow us time to move the ball around close to their box. We dont have the right answers. We lack a physical striker to win headers in the box. They allow us to have all the possession in other 66% of the pitch and we knock it around hoping to draw them out to make space but doesn't work for us

Nearly had a bit of magic from Welington again but for a good save but never really hurt them in final 3rd of the pitch

We always look shaky once we lose the ball and get hit on the counter 

[whelk]

3 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Sounds like Wood chucked his toys out of the pram, so got dropped from squad . 

The squad is broken. Only a matter of time before we are in a relegation battle with this tactically naive manager who has clearly lost the dressing room

[Football Special]

5 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Sounds like Wood chucked his toys out of the pram, so got dropped from squad . 

Wondered where he was today, he's got a bit of attitude 

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Wondered where he was today, he's got a bit of attitude 

Being dropped gave Abbott the opportunity, and he’s taken it…..

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Guess we were due an absolute shocker where everyone expected a comfortable win. Often the games that bite you on the arse.

I didn't exp ct a comfortable win. I had us down for a 1-0 shock defeat. We're not direct enough against average teams. Too many passes when we should be getting forward quickly and in numbers. 

Stand by what I've said all season. 

NOT GOING UP! 

[sfc4prem]

1 hour ago, Paul_B said:

What me as a human? 😅 

What is pretty shit is the fact far too many of our fans are so entitled/ arrogant/ deluded to think we're going to beat anyone 5/6/7 nil and that we should piss the league.

Fans need a kick up the arse almost as much as the players.

Nah, I wouldn't attack you as a human. Don't know you. Sure you're a nice guy.

The attitude and negative expectation is shit though. Same as the players first half. Awful attitude. Negative, timid, flat.

[Number9]

Same old, same old....

Lose the games we're expected to win and win the games we're expected to lose...

We need a winning streak not an unbeaten streak this season for automatic promotion.

 

[sfc4prem]

Shit that it happened just before the international break, too. Same as the game at Wrexham.

[warsash saint]

1 hour ago, Killers Knee said:

It’s at the point where even Ward-Prowse refuses to pass to an open Mubama.

Leo needs someone to tell him to shoot where the goalkeeper isn’t standing.

Dobbin is too lightweight for senior football and Preston had our pants down at £9m.

We never paid £9mm to Preston!!

[die Mannyschaft]

Get some of these forwards they have good eye sight for the goal. 

[LoyalSaintSO50]

Another first half shambles where we looked lightweight all over the pitch. Atmosphere poor considering the numbers and we still have a massive away problem of looking shite for a full half. Long way for that shite to be served up 

[Gloucester Saint]

10 minutes ago, warsash saint said:

We never paid £9mm to Preston!!

Villa saw us coming twice for Archer then Dobbin. Have become the new City in pulling the scouting team’s pants down.

That said, look at his performance for today’s opponents last season. He looks like a fish up a tree but wasn’t he supposed to be the Azaz rotation?

Club messed up on the striker department (again) which is the biggest issue. 

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

39 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Sounds like Wood chucked his toys out of the pram, so got dropped from squad . 

I'm still baffled as to why Stephens is getting picked in front of him, so I imagine he is too. Jack had a shocker against Watford Wood came in and did nothing wrong. Given Stephens played last Saturday and again Tuesday, and gave away a pen, you'd probably be expecting to get a start against the bottom club. Almost had another calamity Jack moment today, too.

[Football Special]

We're fucked , KS out for weeks. 

It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for a dislocated shoulder to heal and for basic symptoms to settle, though a full return to high-impact sports, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity can take 12 to 16 weeks (or longer if surgery is required).

[Football Special]

37 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Being dropped gave Abbott the opportunity, and he’s taken it…..

Abbot did ok

I think without Schlotterbeck we'll bring Wood back for his aerial strength 

[macca155]

16 minutes ago, warsash saint said:

We never paid £9mm to Preston!!

No he was on loan there, I think it was Aston Villa who owned him. They sent us Archer as well.

[EssEffCee]

14 minutes ago, Golac's Iron Gonads said:

I'm still baffled as to why Stephens is getting picked in front of him, so I imagine he is too. Jack had a shocker against Watford Wood came in and did nothing wrong. Given Stephens played last Saturday and again Tuesday, and gave away a pen, you'd probably be expecting to get a start against the bottom club. Almost had another calamity Jack moment today, too.

 

Wood was directly responsible for loads of goals before he was dropped so not sure how he did nothing wrong. Stephens has been better this season which is why he's been playing.

[Sheaf Saint]

55 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Dear God. 
 

Knowing all his strengths 😂😂. Bet that part of the team meeting didn’t take long. 
 

He’s been pony all season, woeful. Unless he’s played for every single opponent, you’re just making excuses. He’s a dud so far, complete and utter dud. 

You might want to make your mind up Duckie. It was literally only a week ago that you said this...

On 01/11/2026 at 09:53, Lord Duckhunter said:

Still not protecting the ball enough for my liking. There was a spell towards the end of the first half when it bounced off him 2 or 3 times and it put us back under pressure. Yes, he looks ok when he’s got space to turn, if he’s going to play up top alone he needs to protect the ball better. Worked extremely hard and was the main trigger for a better second half pressing performance. But to suggest his performances are promotion level is hopeful in the extreme. 
 

He's gone from pony to promising, but I’d have Larin over him everyday of the week. He’s not putting pressure on Larin or Azaz, no way he starts in a must win game if everyone’s fit. He may end up as a genuine alternative, but he’s not there yet. 

You even said it yourself that he looks OK when he's got space to turn. But you totally dismiss the idea that maybe his former teammates might also be aware of this and set up in such a way to completely nullify that threat, and then go and totally contradict yourself in your last paragraph. 

It was entirely predictable that he would be marked out of the game today by defenders that trained with him all last season. It was also entirely predictable that numerous bedwetting posters would jump on that and scapegoat him for the result. 

[EssEffCee]

16 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Abbot did ok

I think without Schlotterbeck we'll bring Wood back for his aerial strength 

He did but wasn't the most difficult game to be the CB for the most part as after their goal they had little interest in going forward. Be interesting to see how he does when we're under more pressure.

Similar to Dobbin being okay at West Ham but he won't get that space most weeks.

[Killers Knee]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

Think the money went to Villa 🙂

Stand corrected, thanks

[Killers Knee]

54 minutes ago, warsash saint said:

We never paid £9mm to Preston!!

Stand corrected, Villa had us, again.

[saintant]

Think a lot of results are proving this is quite a poor Championship with no real stand-out sides. It's still relatively early but every side seems to be slipping up in games you'd expect them to win. If a team can show some consistency and put a run of wins together they will likely pull away from the pack but, as it stands, the first two spots are far from obvious and many sides can consider themselves in contention.

[maysie]

2 hours ago, Killers Knee said:

It’s at the point where even Ward-Prowse refuses to pass to an open Mubama.

Leo needs someone to tell him to shoot where the goalkeeper isn’t standing.

Dobbin is too lightweight for senior football and Preston had our pants down at £9m.

Except we didn't pay Preston for him

[Forester]

3 hours ago, Killers Knee said:

It’s at the point where even Ward-Prowse refuses to pass to an open Mubama.

Leo needs someone to tell him to shoot where the goalkeeper isn’t standing.

Dobbin is too lightweight for senior football and Preston had our pants down at £9m.

You do know we didn’t buy Dobbin from Preston?

[Forester]

2 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

We didn't sign a good enough alternative to Larin and a CB to replace THB. 

And it's costing us massively. 

You don’t think KS was a good replacement for THB?  Really?

[Forester]

Long journey to watch that first half performance particularly after similar at West Brom.  A few thoughts:

- we need an extra forward in January without question.  I know money isn’t unlimited and we may need to make a sale which is unpalatable in another department to bring someone in of quality.  Jander?  Scienza?  Fellows?  

- thought Abbot did well but it’s a shame it moves Stephens (who is having a good season on right side) over to left where he is more unreliable

- can’t wait to watch it but was adamant it was handball in stoppage time in front of our fans

- bigger picture there is no team currently on track for two points per game which is typical too 2.  Our defensive record is fine averaging one goal per game, and even this week should have been enough for seven points.  But the gap between Larin and the rest is too big 

 

[VectisSaint]

1 hour ago, Golac's Iron Gonads said:

I'm still baffled as to why Stephens is getting picked in front of him, so I imagine he is too. Jack had a shocker against Watford Wood came in and did nothing wrong. Given Stephens played last Saturday and again Tuesday, and gave away a pen, you'd probably be expecting to get a start against the bottom club. Almost had another calamity Jack moment today, too.

Apart from the pen, Stephens was excellent against Baggies, at least 2 goal saving blocks/clearances by being in the right place. Playing on the right side he is so much better and Schlotts allows this to happen.

[Harry_SFC]

20 minutes ago, Forester said:

You don’t think KS was a good replacement for THB?  Really?

As I said in my other post, we signed Schlotterbeck to improve upon Stephens. The THB replacement was supposed to be the Norwegian CB but we didn't bid enough on deadline day. 

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

I didn't exp ct a comfortable win. I had us down for a 1-0 shock defeat. We're not direct enough against average teams. Too many passes when we should be getting forward quickly and in numbers. 

Stand by what I've said all season. 

NOT GOING UP! 

No surprise you're fucking piping up tonight. 

[Micky]

I was at West Brom and I was at Preston today. We've pissed away 90 minutes off football in less than a week, just as well have not shown up.  Rescued a point on Tuesday, but cocked it right up today - against the worst team in the league.  Supposedly, our aim is to win the league, nothing more, nothing less.... no chance, absolutely no chance. We need to be much stronger all over the pitch, Leo needs to stop falling over, and get his mojo back, run at players, go past players. 

We seemed totally surprised that Preston decided to have a go in the first half, and they had the temerity to even bloody score.  For all of our possession and good play in the second half we really only threatened with a few long range efforts, we just didn't create anything of note.  We look toothless up front, Dobbin and Mubama are both sub standard and very easily marshalled - is it really possible to get a quality striker in during the mid season transfer window, I'm not so sure.  Anyway, it's been a shit day, long drive home, I'm off to kick the cat and get a beer.  We are not auto promotion candidates, strap yourselves in for the lottery of the playoffs, again. 

[Lighthouse]

15 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

As I said in my other post, we signed Schlotterbeck to improve upon Stephens. The THB replacement was supposed to be the Norwegian CB but we didn't bid enough on deadline day. 

We signed Abbott and Kev to replace THB and Quarshie. I don’t think we’re any worse off overall, and more importantly we’re a net £20m+ better off from the whole thing. Let’s not get too bogged down in guessing which players are replacing which others, specifically.

[Kenilworthy1959]

Preston were very clever in sharing out the professional fouls. Kind of think that when you get an incident like the rugby tackle near the end that took out Edpzie to prevent hime getting to the byline a yellow card is a really insufficient punishment

[Harry_SFC]

16 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

We signed Abbott and Kev to replace THB and Quarshie. I don’t think we’re any worse off overall, and more importantly we’re a net £20m+ better off from the whole thing. Let’s not get too bogged down in guessing which players are replacing which others, specifically.

The club wanted Falchener and Schlotterbeck as our first choice CBs with Stephens and Wood as backups. That isn't a guess. 

[Lighthouse]

7 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

The club wanted Falchener and Schlotterbeck as our first choice CBs with Stephens and Wood as backups. That isn't a guess. 

Nobody's arguing that. The assumption you're making is that Abbott must be the replacement for THB specifically. It's a squad game and overall we're no worse off at CB than last year.

[richardc]

4 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

Without the -4 we would be 1 point off top spot, no need to panic.

Except we did start on -4 and now we are -5 from autos - we need to make those points up 

[Willo of Whiteley]

We’d all have taken this amount of points off the top at the start of the season.

What is in defensible is the loss to Watford, loss to Preston, draw to Bolton and draw to Lincoln.

Four extremely poor teams that we should’ve battered.

[St Louis]

28 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We’d all have taken this amount of points off the top at the start of the season.

You’d rather we’d started on -5? 😉

[Teamsaint1]

57 minutes ago, Kenilworthy1959 said:

Preston were very clever in sharing out the professional fouls. Kind of think that when you get an incident like the rugby tackle near the end that took out Edpzie to prevent hime getting to the byline a yellow card is a really insufficient punishment

Two solvable things about the modern game really annoy me.

Professional Fouls. Sin bin needs revisiting perhaps. There have been so many in our games this season. 

Endless interruptions to the flow of a game. Stopwatch timed games would, if not solve the problem of feigned injuries, be a  help.