Real talk lads, that second half was every #SaintsFC performance under Nathan Jones, and if you really thought about it you’d realise I’m right (even if you won’t admit it).
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It’s definitely not as bad as Nathan Jones yet - the worst possible low bar - but long halls with no ideas is worrying. Also concerning that we got worse after his HT talk, and his subs made us worse.
I think he needs to be judged after that 8 day break we have coming up. He's had two days with the starting 11 on the training ground. Games are thick and fast at the moment and our team seems very unfit at the moment... First half I thought we were superb!
Wouldn’t go that far. And I think it’s important to push back against this ridiculous narrative that ‘now Russell’s reign of terror is over everything’s going to improve’ a) because it won’t and b) because it risks letting the real villain off the hook:
Hiring Wilcox- who had some idea of what he was doing- was probably his only good decision. Probably doesn’t help that he is trying to run three clubs without the expertise and infrastructure needed for one.
I was very torn about sacking Martin. But we just weren't giving it a go and making the same mistakes week in week out. He had a fair shot, and it's a real shame it didn't work out with him. I think he will go on and have a very successful career though. I think let's judge Juric after 4/5 games
I see what you’re saying but I don’t think sending him into a PL campaign with a worse squad than he had in the Championship was a fair shot at all really. Meanwhile Ankersen- who caused almost all the problems- gets to carry on wasting other people’s money. How is he still in a job?!
I don't disagree. But given the players in front of him, and the same mistakes week in week out he could have adapted and been a little more pragmatic. I never expect us to stay up really. Statistically we were always set to go down, but I didn't expect us to be this poor and stubborn
If they’d got him even two of the players he needed (a 1v1 specialist and a Che replacement) we’d have been competitive, but they sent him into a gunfight with just his dick in his hand. The way he was treated by many fans, plus media and ultimately the owners was appalling.
I admit it and know you are right. We won’t win a match playing like this. Also, so boring that our only shots came from headers (something we aren’t very good at).
Ah Paul bless him… One of the most honest triers we’ve had but despite being 8’ 4” he’s a poor header of the ball. Wonder how long it’ll take for the fans to realise this lol.
All of tall Paul's showreel moments involve him bringing a looping ball under his spell and shimmying away from the opposition in or around THE CENTRE CIRCLE.
Nearer goal and he loses out to Prem centrebacks. The qualifier "For a big bloke" works both ways. He's surprisingly good and bad.
Another unpopular opinion is that we miss Che (🎶 like the deserts miss the rain 🎶). The ownership group somehow managed to send us into this season with a WORSE squad than the one that got us promoted.
I’ve been banging this drum all season… no Che, Stuey, Brooks (even Charly, Tella) - 50+ goal contributions lost. We have a weaker starting 11 than last season.
If I play back the moments of skill that got us goals in the Championship I think of Stu Armstrong, Charly or KWP given freedom to go wherever he wanted using the space created by the rest of the team.
...and Armstrong playing at his level with confidence dialled up to eleven.
Tyler probably just about makes up for Brooks, and Matty Fernandes is a clear upgrade on Stu, but Che left a gaping hole even before Rod Stewart’s injury woes resumed.
Interesting take but I couldn't disagree more. We created chances today, which under Jones and Martin didn't happen. Also the negativity after only a few days of a new manager? Might wanna give it some time my friend.
Agree. That 8 day break will be key for getting the players into shape and comfortable with the system. Maybe it won't work, but he deserves a fair crack at it. As you say, so many chances today, and that's a huge improvement
Most of those chances were missed by the same player. I wonder if the fact that said player is closing in on 20 Premier League games without a goal and looks knackered after 30 minutes might explain why previous managers didn’t predicate their game models on crossing it in for him!
He's obviously low on confidence. Personally I'd like to have seen Archer in that system today, but I'd like to give Tall Paul a fair shot as well. But the fact we created those chances is an improvement
He’s a very honest player with an admirable attitude- you’ll never hear me digging him out in the ground- but that many games without a single goal suggests he’s just not very good. His heading technique is poor and because he can’t play on the turn we hit him then end up having to play back.
Unlike those who had it in for Martin from the start, I’m very supportive in the stadium so I think I’m allowed to call out the bollocks online. The second half was almost identical to most games under Jones, ie balls hoofed at Tall Paul with zero idea re how to structure attacks.
Jurić teams don’t score many and it’s not hard to see why. Despite not enjoying hoofball I’ll get behind him (unlike those who boo because they’re not emotionally resilient enough to handle playing out from the back) but I’m not optimistic and we’d be mad to play like that in the Champ next season.
As a Saints fan since 1991 I think I’ve earned my Emotional Resilience badge. Those who maybe started following since 2012 might be somewhat lacking in that area, I guess?
1986 for me. Hard to say innit but I’ve definitely had a sense this season that the loudest whingers weren’t at SMS last season but bought STs this season basically as status symbols, and their rage stems from feeling embarrassed at having been sold a pup.
Comments
All of tall Paul's showreel moments involve him bringing a looping ball under his spell and shimmying away from the opposition in or around THE CENTRE CIRCLE.
Nearer goal and he loses out to Prem centrebacks. The qualifier "For a big bloke" works both ways. He's surprisingly good and bad.
...and Armstrong playing at his level with confidence dialled up to eleven.