VectisSaint

Wasn't that long ago we put 8 past Sunderland (9 years). Hard to imagine this nowadays.

I think people are missing the point, he can't "trust" him because his head is not in the right place at the moment. The "news about his Dad" is possibly the most telling point. The language thing is interesting though, maybe he was depending on Willy and Lyanco to get him through (Lyanco was Portuguese speaker of course, but Portuguese/Spanish is relatively close), though it must be said Larios is also a Spanish speaker, but maybe not fully integrated into the group still. To be honest in the times he has made it on the pitch this season he has shown nothing to warrant a start, so maybe now we know why. Wonder what happened to his Dad? Its novel to get to hear this stuff, none of our last few managers would have let news like this out.

But they also need to stop making stupid, suicidal mistakes. 2 massive individual mistakes today by 2 different players and 2 goals. Hardly any goals we have conceded so far this season have been down to good play by opponents (note I did not see the Norwich game). Good finishing yes, but virtually none from good build up.

I would suggest that the number of assists from corners has more to do with the quality of teammates in the box rather than the management/coaching. There are a lot of stats that show JWP to be better now, this isn't the best example.

RM seems to be sticking to "after the next international break" line in the Presser this morning, so possibly Hull away on 21st. Sounds like he is training with the main group. Jack Stephens though doesn't seem so hopeful, certainly not in the same timeframe as Stewart, which is what Martin originally suggested (he would miss about 7 games), more inline with what Wilcox said pre Sunderland, i.e. around Christmas. Martin acknowledged Jack was a huge loss, as he is the only one (his words) with a voice.

I don't think it does. I'm not convinced yet by Kamaldeen or even Alcaraz, they have flattered to deceive. Also don't see Downes as a shoe-in from his performances so far (and will he be fit anyway). Armstrong (S) to me should be a starter. Don't think this will happen but it may be that Manning could play MF (he has done a lot in the past, it wouldn't be playing him out of position) and getting Larios in at LB.

The Ipswich goal came from Saints giving the ball away with a sloppy pass under no pressure (pretty sure that it was by Charles, one of our better players). Like nearly all our goals, a sloppy pass, we are currently useless at the basics. You really cannot credit Ipswich with making that goal, it was not due to pressing or a clever interception it was down to us simply giving them the ball in a dangerous area. Really only made one really bad passing error after that (Aribo) that I recall but we were not confident passing. Can't fathom why we started Charles at CB, with both Bednarek and Holgate on the bench. Charles is just so much better in CM, even if Bednarek wasn't considered fit enough for 90 minutes then why not start with him and replace by Holgate in second half (or vice versa) unless Martin has decided after the Sunderland shit show that Holgate just isn't good enough. Seems like Adams has reverted to his "not in contract negotiations" type. Total waste of space, we had no idea in front of goal, we made some good chances and build up play, especially in the second half, was actually decent at times.

WE can go on and on about the style, but the fact is that some of our players cannot pass the ball. Everything we bring on ourselves because we are too lackadaisical and inaccurate with our passes. We are also completely ineffective in attack, and have no presence due to the team being a bunch of midgets.

Talking of contracts, are we to assume that Adams has not signed a new contract, he was offered one that included him being captain of vice, but Armstrong A was wearing the armband for the Leicester debacle.

Bazunu, KWP, Bednarek, Adams, Armstrong (A), Armstrong (S), Edozie, Aribo, Alcaraz, Kamaldeen, arguably Smallbone, all involved last season and on Friday (except Bednarek). Not really a totally new team. 3 out of 4 defenders new plus Downes and Fraser.

Looked like metatarcel injury from the way they were checking his foot (not that I am any kind of doctor). Edozie was also replaced due to injury according to the commentary team, they said due to a knock, think that makes him at best doubtful for Tuesday. Hopefully Bednarek will be back, sounded like he wasn't far off on Friday having trained. Would go Bazunu, KWP, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Manning (would prefer Larios, but no chance), Charles, Smallbone, S Armstrong, Fraser, A Armstrong, Adams. Maybe Charley instead of Stuey.

Best wishes Whitey, I can empathise, I lost my wife (of 40 years) last November, football becomes an irrelevance (almost).

Saints 2 Ipswich 3 ,at least that would be the next score in the sequence.

Agreed, he actually did quite well tonight, apart from one suicide pass to Smallbone (or Downes, not sure) which he got away with. Would have been more than 4 without him.

First lesson, don't win a corner.

I'm usually a supporter, but Smallbone needs to be hooked, unbelievable ball watching several times. He's not the only one though, utter shambles through the middle. Not convinced by Downes either. Bazunu has been good (apart from the suicide ball to Smallbone).

Pitts, Merry, Oyekunwe and Moses Sesay according to the OS.

OK, sorry it's a bit difficult for you to understand. Yes I'd rather he didn't take corners (on the right at least), leaving him hopelessly out of position when we lose the ball (as we tend to do 90 % of the time) and that instead he takes up a defensive position (allegedly he is a defender). Hopefully we will see someone like Fraser perhaps taking on corner duties. Personally I'd rather Manning wasn't on the pitch at all because he is not very good at his job (defending), but we don't have too many options and anyway he is a manager's favourite so unlikely to be dropped. He would actually be better suited in MF where he has played many of his games, but at the moment we seem to be quite well stocked in that area.

Well yes, that's the point, he needs to have a head start to have any chance of defending a fast counter attack, so back well behind the ball.

They make sure they have proper defensive cover and also Arnold and Robertson are not exactly slow at getting back. Manning is pedestrian.

He wasn't even playing for us for half of last season, so he is certainly not a consistent. I did say though that only having 4 true CBs for this season (with Stephens seemingly out till Christmas, if you believe Wilcox over Martin) was madness and that was before I saw Holgate play. Looks like Olly Lancashire might be up for a recall at this rate.

Hants Senior Cup 2nd Round at Westwood Park

To be fair many of the yellows were for time wasting, kicking the ball away etc, not all for stopping counter attacks, and is giving away a yellow for breaking up a counter attack necessarily a bad thing anyway, better than allowing a shot on target/conceding a goal.

Note even his own first injury, he missed a few games for us last season as well. Has he actually kicked a ball (competitively) for Chelsea yet?

First thing is to take him off corner duty if he is playing at LB. Relying on Edozie while Manning, who is very slow, is diametrically opposite to where he needs to be is ridiculous. I don't believe there is no one else in the side that can take a decent corner. Surely Fraser would be a better bet for corners, because he is not much use in the box (because of his height). Seems the problem to me if Sunderland is to be followed is that Martin doesn't expect the two nominal full backs to be defensive, KWP is marauding all over the pitch. Personally I would prefer to see Larios at LB, perhaps Manning could be utilised in MF, which is where he has played a lot during his career (though I would not pick him there above any of Charles, Downes or Smallbone. All that said, I doubt very much Martin will drop Manning, ever.