gio1saints

Never felt so much hate and anger directed at our own players and manager by our own fans as last match. Felt like I was surrounded by Pompey fans. I come to support the team and especially when it’s bad times and especially when we are playing bad. That’s when they need my support as obviously they are fucking it up on the pitch. instead, I’m surrounded by wise guy big mouths giving a constant negative commentary shouted out into my ears on every facet of the match. If I turn around and have a word - like I appreciate you think saints are shut but can you just leave out the nonstop abuse all match and try, you know, support your team. You are not helping and making it worse in fact….how do you think it will go? ive asked SFC if I can be moved but I’d rather the non supporting “ fans” GTF out my block and buy tickets in away end where they will feel right at home and surrounded by fellow believers.

THB putting it about really well. I like this guys attitude! Edozie playing well as is AA. We are better than these.

Glad I’m going to see another debut. Also glad Vestergaard is playing. I’d fancy any of our front five or six to go round him. I did not think at this stage we’d have so many “ new” players starting but it’s real. Patience is needed. They are good players but need bed in By : “new “ players I mean : Manning, Will ( yes I know..), Flynn, Fraser, Shea, THB, and Sam ( yes I know..). That’s 7/11 different to the standard team that lost almost every week last season..And a new Manager who is a top bloke. exciting times. Win lose or draw tonite this team/ squad can do stuff to make us proud this year. COYS

Have a bet on it. I even think your subs are right. 😀

Exactly. Makes defender look stationary. He looks fit to me. IF he is fit then he must be ready to play off the bench today. Would love him to come on last 15 or 20 and show what he’s all about on live TV.

I agree with you but the quickest way to get Che scoring again is for him to be on the pitch not the bench. He’s got the guts for it I’m sure and if he plays and scores the whole mood changes. Each match he watches not plays costs Saints £15M/c 40 matches - that’s c. £375,000 per match not to play!!! Leaving him on the bench to get his head straight after we did not sell him is a high stakes play! I think it’s what RM will do on balance but it would be a hell of a statement if he started!

Given how many goals we have been conceding one suggestion could be: ————Bazunu——— KWP—Holgate-Beds—Manning ———-Flynn-Shea——— Ed——————————Fraser ——————AA——————— ——————Che——————- 1. I think it’s right to give Mason his debut but there’s an argument for keeping the Shea/Beds duo which worked well second half of QPR. 2. If so then his MF slot is up for grabs. I think RM would prefer Stu for his experience in this kind of game but not playing Charlie may be controversial. 3. Che should play in this game BUT RM has left him on the bench a lot so who knows. If RM decides Che is better as a sub later in game then it makes a space for Charlie, Mara or even Joe. Or even drumroll…..Kamaldeen! This team should be good for at least a point probably three. That’s a sure sign for seasoned saints fans that we will get beaten but I remain ever hopeful! If any recent team can do it I have trust that this new look, newly reset saints can.

I think the crowd will be extra vocal and extra nasty towards us tomorrow. It’s gonna need wise professional heads to cope with the atmosphere. I think that points to a more experienced starting 11 than last time ie Ryan Fraser to start, Flynn to start, Stu to start (C) and Holgate to start. I’d hope there’s a place for Shea to start but it might be at expense of Charlie which I’d rather both were on the pitch! AA to play wherever he likes frankly except conventional 9..

Mildly gutted.

Ross. Stew. Art.

I’d check out the Har bar hotel for incomings tonight.May be around there tomorrow morning. Tall guy dark hair Scottish accent right 😎

A google search tells me the following are currently represented by Jonathan Barnet’s CAA Stellar agency : JWP, Salisu, Tella, Paintsil, Jack Stephens, Adam Armstrong, Caleta-car and Matt Grimes amongst a bunch of interesting names ( inc Guido Carillo!!) They are a big agency I know but the number of current and recent SFC players they are associated with from our recent squads is fairly high (c20%!). I have not bothered to check if there are other big agencies monopolising SFC players/ squad but all the same it may be of interest to know this info, as well as to know who else they represent that may fit our shopping list- as these are probably simpler to “ get over the line” based on the existing cosy relationship we seem to have as a club with this agency.

FWIW I don’t think Paintsil will happen . I’m not so certain we have paid Genk all the Onuacho fee. Think of the implications vis the Paintsil proposed fee. It also seems they don’t want him back (maybe neither does he which would be understandable). MANY of the current squad players have the speed & skills to develop into a Nathan Tella and frankly most have already got more potential than he had 2-3 years ago when NT was knocking on the first team squad door. Paintsil in to “replace NT” is a red herring for me. Get another goalscorer in - which is what NT was last year at Burnley - is what Russell really means. And what we really need - Not necessarily yet another fast small tricky winger type attacker. Of which we are blessed with quite a few already… That’s why I can see at least ONE recognisable goalscorer coming in (to replace NT) and TWO if Che leaves. And they don’t have to be called Paintsil.

Latest odds on New Skipper for Saturday from Gio.com 😇 Che 11/8 Flynn : 2/1 Manning, S. Armstrong 5/2 KWP : 3/1 A. Armstrong : 9/2 W. Smallbone : 5/1 Beds : 11/2 G Bazunu : 10/1 Sammy the Saint 1000/1 😇 Seeing some strong pre match action for Stu Armstrong atm…😂 Beds getting some support.

Have Che and Stewart played and trained together for Scotland? If so that’s certainly a plus.

I think you are close to the right answer. Imagine it’s January 24. Che has scored 8 goals. Stewart joined, is fully fit and fully up to speed on the RM playlist. Already notched a few from the bench. We are in the top six and looking good for automatic . Even if Che leaves in Jan window to a EPL team needing a forward Ross has learned his lines. I’m hoping the “ at least stay til Xmas Che and see how you feel as there’s always the Jan window” chat might actually be effective.

Ross Stewart = SRL.

Dont think there will be an announcement or announcements today. Tomorrow or Friday hopefully. 😎

Interesting way of solving the issue and the romantic in me hopes that would sway him too. We all realise though that is the ££ and length of contract on offer that’s the main thing. And on that subject I think, only IMO that whilst the weekly money we are offering might be “alright” we are probably not offering another 3 years. And that’s down to his age and, frankly, previous goal scoring record in the EPL. IF Palace Boscombe or Fulham or a n other offer him three years at EPL wages I think he would be mad not to take it. I think Saints would, on balance, be a bit foolhardy to offer it- so Captain or no I think he’s leaving - if a suitable offer comes in that is. No desperate £15m cash last minute offers accepted for example.

Andi Zeqiri is 24 and does look like the sort of player we might buy. He is in final year of 3yr contract at Brighton, was bought but then loaned out to German then Swiss (Basel) clubs last two years. Scored a decent amount last year (11/30) and is a full Swiss international. Can play wing or CF and bears an uncanny facial resemblance to Broja! Might be a cheap CF option / Tella replacement ?

I am confident we will not repeat historical mistake of being striker-lite or wrong type striker in at close of window. If the signings of Holgate and Fraser are anything to go by even a Loan striker rather than a purchase would not surprise either. RM has repeatedly said if Che leaves he will be replaced- and I don’t think he meant Mara. But he might have done. Don’t think he was being disingenuous there. Straight talking so far and refreshing to boot!

I was initially dubious about Ryan Fraser ( especially “ he’s not here to replace Nathan” 😉) but I can already sense he will be a good model for SAA and Ed. They did not have that before. They do now. In the short time Ryan was on he always looked dangerous. I particularly liked his link up play with AA - we did not see too much of that from either of the younger players - and the fact that his football intelligence seems high. Knowing to run on from that direct free kick for example showed he is alert to score- pity he didn’t but fair do’s the keeper for an excellent stop.

Quite intrigued by the Fraser loan because as far as I recall he joined Newcastle when out of contract. Ie on a free. So I’d guess he might be on a high weekly wage at NUFC - lol certainly compared to Saints squad atm. Indeed would not surprise me if he’s on the highest wage this season already. Interesting wage differentials issues coming into play with these loaners…

Did anyone else notice Bella on the pitch at the end giving claps all round to the support? it looked to me ( Hope I’m wrong) that he was taking the chance to say goodbye to a full SMS if indeed he’s leaving this week. Hope I am wrong. He is going to be a good in I’m sure and I’d prefer he did it with us!

I can sense that Everton may have allowed us Mason Holgate in return for some quid pro quo with Che- or indeed a n other of our attackers. The timing of this apparently long wanted loan deal in context of their ££ issues and the Che offer turned down is interesting. This may be just the first part of our dealing with them. Given main man 6ft 2” Calvert Lewin is injured / always getting injured might it not be beyond the realm of possibility that they might want to take Onuacho on loan from us if they are desperate last thing deadline day? Given they also wanted Gnonto the same could be said for Sulemana who might be regarded as similar - let alone their obvious interest in Che. I think there’s a fair chance we will be dealing with Everton again before the window shuts.