Shropshire Saint

I also have a SW supporting frienf who saya much the same about Rohl. On your second point I think most Championship sides would beat the current team.

If we hadn't sold Carlos would we still have bought Mateus? Could not see RM playing both in the same team.

I thought there was something going on when the team came out for the second half several minutes before Spurs and the officials.

Mine still not arrived.

Hull have ex Saint Alfie Jones as a regular at centre back. He looked to be half decent when he played for our Under 21s about 4 years ago but was let go.

In our promotion season 1965/6 we lost 5-1 to Coventry in September. Four days later we beat Wolves 9-3.

In my opinion we should have done more to keep Forster last year and let McCarthy move on. Possibly bring in Baz as one for the future.

A key member (and captain) of our 1965/6 promotion season. In a game against Wolves he scored an early own goal. The expression on his face ( he was right in front of me in the Milton Road) was of absolute horror. He needn't have worried - we won the match 9-3. RIP Tony.

I thought Finnegan had gone on loan to Crewe.

So McCarthy will be bound to start gainst Spurs then.

When Forest get promotion next week add Steve Cooper to the list.

We gave them so much space in the first half, particularly down our right where KWP was having to deal with the threat without any support. In central midfield Naitland- Miles ran the show -- and we let him. In short, they played like we did when we were on fire earlier in the season and we played like they did when they were crap earlier in the season.

Interesting that in THAT match last season (the one we talk about) Ryan was sent off early on as a result of a VAR decision. The VAR ref on that occasion was.... Mike Dean.

There have been so many "next big things" in recent years that has failed to materialise for various reasons. Alfie Jones, Calum Slattery, Jake Hesketh, Josh Sims, Harrison Reed and so on. Going further back, LLoyd James, Olly Lancashire (both of which suffered because they were thrown in at the deep end far too early). It seems to be a fact that the ones that make it seem to come out of nowhere which seems to be happening at the moment with Tella, N'Lundulo (both of which have made steady, but unspectauclar progress in the Under 23's) and now Chauke. Not everyone will make it and some intakes will be better than others. We have had some spectacular disasters in the transfer market in recent years ( and a few successes) but for me I would rather see an academy player establish themselves.

It is in the Daily Mail so it must be true😄

I must admit that I thought at one time that Jake Hesketh, alomg with Alfie Jones would be the next big thing. Shows howmuch I know!

I ago that he looks a good prospect. However we have a few others that plays in his position/style that are on the fringes of the first team such as Nathan Tella, Tyreke Johnson and Josh Sims.

Absolutely brilliant. Well done.

I had a call last week. I admit that I thought it was a wind-up at first but soon realised in was genuine, I think that it is only the older season tickets that are getting a call but I agree that it is a thoughtful gesture from the club.

Started watching Saints in 1964 and George was playing up front with Martin Chivers. Great striker - always enjoyed watching him play. He got injured part way through our 1965/66 promotion season and never played for Saints again, being transferred to Leyton Orient when Norman Dean had taken his place in the team. RIP George and thanks for the memories.

I also thought that by now Slattery would at least be on the fringes of the first team but Smallbone seems to have overtaken him. I also thought Hesketh, Simms, Alfie Jones and possibly O'Driscoll and O'Connor would be there or there abouts. Shows how much I know!

The problems are multiple layered. There is obviously ownership issues with constant rumours about Gao's finances, involvment and even stories about him wanting to sell (I wish!!). You then have the upheaval with Reed, Wilson, Hunter, Kophl (?) and the rest. Then the paucity of the coaching staff (2 goalkeepers FFS). As far as the playing staff is concerned, Ralph was obviously dealt a very bad hand. Overpriced average players had sucked our player budget dry. We have 6 centre backs for instance that are very average and would struggle to get a place in another premier league team. We lack creative talent in the crucial midfield positions. Players that have performed well in the past are just not doing it this season (Gunn, Cedric, Bertrand, PEH, JWP, Redmond in particular). Ralph cannot escape criticism with some of his team selections and timing of substitutions although I think that we should stick with him, particularly if some of the other problems are sorted. In short until the problems are sorted we are f****d. Relegation is fast becoming a reality. This may be a good thing but who knows - we remember what happened last time.

And I used to moan about the Albion Band......

In many ways the Everton defeat was worse than the Leicester one. However I am the eternal optimist and I am going for a 2-0 victory against Watford and the same against Norwich. Having said that Saints have been letting me down for 54 years (the 54th anniversary weekend of my first ever match was the Leicester game).

I don't remember that match but I do remember us playing the Italian Under 21 side in a pre-season friendly in the 1960's. It would be interesting to see the Italian line-up for that match to see if any of the greats played.