macca155

For all the pleasure at Ipswich losing. Remember that if Saints don't go up, they'll face two tough local derbies that most other teams don't have. It is just going to get harder isn't it

Mainly because he's played well. He isn't where our problems lie.

Classic

Straight red so that's him out for 3 games. Blast

Blast

Get Jan Bendarek off he can hardly walk

The pass to Che for the goal was sublime. More of that please .

That's 20 goals for Armstrong, that will boost his confidence. Great to see him flourish.

Oooh that was close

It's by far the best part of his game. They'll be all over him and leave space for Armstrong. Shearer was good at that, but that's as far as the comparison goes.

Good Che just dished a bit out. That's his job be the focus of their attention

That's a great goal, good movement all round.

Get in

Che's getting battered, but that's his sort of game.

It would appear that the 'can't be arsed' version of Aribo has turned up today. Stu Armstrong doesn't look at the races either.

This with big knobs on. Totally get KWP needs to be managed carefully and I've no problem with Stephens. However play him at RB and Bree at LB. This is not where our major problems lie

Stephens has done nothing wrong and had a good game on Friday. However the best defence is obvious and he is excellent cover. Totally agree up front there is no clinical striker. Che isn't as bad as recent performances suggest but he'll have to work for his place. The only option is to put finishers up front. Mara can at least do that but doesn't offer any of Che's hold up play or physically presence. Total conundrum. That's why I suggested Brooks Frazer and Rothwell. They do at least know where the goal is.

Nothing is over until it is over. Fat lady hasn't entered the building yet. Every sport is about staying in the game and fighting until the end. The schedule for Saints is daunting and the window of opportunity is shrinking. Nevertheless they are still in it .... just. Martin has to find some consistency. I'd suggest play a settled side would help. Personally I'd go for as much experience as possible Best defence is KWP THB Bendarek Bree so play it A midfield of Downes, Aribo, Armstrong, and Rothwell seems to be the strongest. Rothwell in particular is needed for his finishing. Up front Armstrong, Brookes, and Frazer offer the best opportunities. That's 12 so maybe Armstrong/Rothwell alternate. Just keep the team settled.

Interesting topic, probably worthy of a separate thread. Sure we'll lose at least Downes. THB, and KWP. but they'll be other loan players available. Saints remain a big fish in this pond. We've also got a few out on loan, who may come back with tails between their legs. Whether we want them is debatable of course. Also the likes of Meghoma, Dibling and SAA, must start to make an impact. It will be tougher obviously, but if SR maintain financial stability. Saints should remain contenders. For the moment Saints are still in the race, although I think the focus will be on the play offs. Autos feel like a big ask now.

Good point. Good to have a win, get the momentum going again.

With Smallbone off limits, the scapegoat agenda moves on to Stephens..... ridiculous. He was fine today why pick on him. It was a good win, Sunderland were woeful. Taking Smallbone off was a mistake. So many changes unsettled the team, but they recovered pretty emphatically. Enjoy it.

Yep , not a bad game by any means, but by his standards less commanding than usual. Not his fault by the way, the roving role Stephens has exposes THB. He has too much to do.

Don't agree,, Stephens added much needed strength to the side. He was one of the better players. Saints are better with him in the side imo. THB had a very iffy day and yet he escapes criticism. Saints were fine until the substitutions. Taking Smallbone off was an error. He had a good game and the team lost its shape when he went off. I thought Adams was off his game today, he needs to hold the ball up and struggled with that today.

We really need that Sunderland game to go ahead. if it doesn't Saints could be stuffed. Games in hand are a pain and with so many in so short a time frame there is no way they'll have the capacity to perform at the Leeds, Leicester, Ipswich level for all games. We've all seen that that scenario so many times. Points in the bag are always worth more than games in hand. I guess the only caveat is that Stewart may be back but that's doubtful. A big factor in all this will be the form of Adams. He needs to start on a scoring run for both our prospects, and his own with Scotland in the Euros. He is capable when the mood takes him, and maybe the incentive of firing his country into Euro glory (yes I can dream) will be the catalyst he needs. Armstrong and possibly Frazer will have similar thoughts. Brooks with Wales as well. By the time April and May come around minds are going to be sharply focussed on the Euros and potential transfer moves. Will they all give their all for 10 games in 36 days ... who knows. It just seems everything is getting tougher for Saints sadly.

Good to see the fire brigade turn up in next year's kit 😀 Could be worse