VectisSaint

Statistically a goal every 2 games sounds good, but in reality he goes long spells with no goals (or assists), like now. He doesn't contribute when we are struggling, but has a purple patch when we are playing well (cause and effect).

Scienza fitness a doubt, as expected after he limped off on Sunday. Eckert says he might be OK, and they will do everything to have him on the pitch, scan showed no issues. Have heard that before. Doesn't sound overly promising.

His main issue is not the total number of goals (and assists), but that he goes long periods with little or no involvement. What is it now, 1 assist in 10 games,.at the beginning of the season 1 goal, no assists in first 8 games. In between, 7 goals, 3 assists in 7 games. A real purple patch, with long periods of next to nothing. Was his purple patch because we were playing well, or did his purple patch drive our team's good results. To me he isn't a driving force, he is reactive to how we perform. This season not so much but 2 years ago very few of his goals were critical, i.e. they didn't win a game or earn a point from a losing position, they were often just icing on the cake. All that said, we really should not be offloading him this season, because there is no one who could do what he does for us in the medium term (hopefully).

Not much good if your team goes down to 10 as that tackle should have done. Downes is well known for poor tackles and getting carded unnecessarily. Lime others have said the melee seemed to feel Skates up rather than us. Passion is one thing, recklessness is something else. We got away with it, so no real harm done.

Loads of people bigging up Downes, but his 'tackle' that lead to the melee should have been a straight red.

Scienza went off injured, he had been receiving treatment just before but hobbled off. Hopefully its not too bad, possibly just cramp, but didn't look too good. Certain it was not a planned sub, probably brought the Stewart sub forward a bit to coincide so that they had one more sub window left (which they didn't use of course). We were well in control for 5 or 6 minutes after the 2nd pair of subs, they scored completely against the run of play when were were comfortable, don't think the subs disrupted us too much at all to be frank, for a change. Azaz had been completly ineffective (apart of course from the assist and the superb through ball for Armstrong in the first half) and Matsuki was struggling with Ogilvie, Fellowes and Stewart were OK when they first came on. It was only after the goal that we went to shit, but to be honest we never really loked like conceding a second for all their huffing and puffing.

We were totally in control after the goal until the equaliser which was totally against the run of play. Admit we didn't create much in that time but it was all Saints. The last few minutes was typical home side throwing everything at us trying to snatch a winner, still they never really looked like scoring. We weren't great but an away point is usually a bonus. At least Tonda didn't throw CBs on to try and fuck/shore things up. No Manning. Think THB and Stephens actually played pretty well defensively, both of them are so much better in a 4. The only bad sub was Robinson, probably not the most sensible decision bringing him on when he did.

Back 4 , what everyone wants. Little shocked Bree is straight in but OK. Not sure where Matski has come from, but why all the hate on here? Stewart was obviously hurt on Wednesday (knee in the back) so is probably still feeling that a bit, and with him not starting it makes some sense to leave Fellows on the bench, bring him on when Stewart comes on. Don't think there's too much wrong with this team, it's not exactly tombola as some are saying, 3 changes. At least Manning is not starting, or Wood.

Marginally better than the absolute moronic commentary on Sky for Sheff Utd midweek. I still have no idea who the knob was commentating (or the co-commentator). Seriously wondered if they were even watching the game, the number of times he referred to our 3 CBs.

Better still they don't play at all, they came on as subs midweek and were horrendous..I would have said Downes as well but he actually did quite well Wednesday, simply because he looked forward rather than his usual 'back'.

I see we were fined £22500 for the handbags after the Coventry game, Coventry fined £30k and Lamps criticised as the 'catalyst'. Lamps deserves "respect". https://share.google/a0Eqx4YSph0XZMvxn

That was a hard watch. We fully deserved to win, but it was so lacking in energy, and Sheff Utd were simply abysmal. On top of that the Sky commentator whoever he was simply the worst I have ever heard, had no idea what was going on and was so laid back and unenthused about anything, his sidekick, whoever "she" was wasn't much better. Very little playing it around at the back, encouraging to see Peretz actually launching the ball, sometimes effectively (sometimes not). Peretz still looks a bit shaky at times but so much better than Baz. No Manning meant there were very few back passes, to Stephens' relief. Even Downes seemed to get the idea of playing forward tonight, wonders will never cease. We should have had more than 1 thats for sure, but a wins a win and the 3 points are very welcome.

Can we play birthday boy Dave Peach instead of Ryan f***ing Manning tonight. Even at 75 I'm sure Peachy would be a better bet, and if we were fortunate enough to get a penalty it would be nailed on. Peter Rodrigues and Danny Wallace today as well. Quite a day for Saints legends.

Can't see Bree really being fired up to play for us. Was having a good loan spell, playing regularly well thought of (there), out of contract in the Summer. If I were him I'd be a bit miffed at being recalled, not even being guaranteed a start.

Not Downes. Charles supposed to be involved Wednesday, Jander if he's not ready to start.