Golac's Cunning Stunts

he's just gonna detest anybody critiising the mighty sports direct

Not sure why you're getting upset. It's a legacy that good old Ralph has left us with for years to come

Does that mean he is exempt from criticism from letting in goals he really should have saved? Ederson would let more goals in if he was Saints goalie for sure, but I wager a lot less than Baz has

Just watched the pen. One could argue he was lucky not to get a red for stopping an obvious goalscoring opportunity?

Actually we have two

The Republic, and indeed Gavin Bazunu, breathe a huge sigh off relief as Kylian Mbappe's effort is ruled out for offside. Aurelien Tchouameni clips the ball forward to Marcus Thuram, who was in an offside position. He lays it off to Mbappe and his low strike squirms through Bazunu and into the net, but it won't count. …so out of character for Gavin here. Obviously not to blame in any way

I was think the exact same thing 🙂

reminds me of the john motson commentary on Tony Currie: "a quality goal by a quality player"

But he is responsible at least in part for our defensive mess? Are you denying that's the case?

It may be that Sports Direct wanted to play this way and then they have found a manager who fits the bill. However, Martin's philosophy directly aligns with the way we play. He is not fitting in with them - he is completely bought into it. Met up with a pal from years ago tonight. Him and his two sons are big Swans fans. They described what they went through and it already fits what we have seen as Saints fans. Massive amounts of possession, but still losing to teams who employed robust counterattacking football, the feeling that every time the oppo attacks you will concede, fullbacks pushed way too far up the pitch, no real strength in midfield, the feeling they would concede every time a cross or corner came in. They said, and it has been repeated a few times now, that he kept saying he could have pulled it off, but never had the backing or the quality of players at his disposal. Now he does, and we will see won't we.

There is a process - its the one that ships goals for absolute fun 🙂

Yes, this . Wondered exactly the same thing myself when we were pursuing him as manager

shipped 5 v sunderland and 4 v norwich. Shipped goals in every game this season. Even 3 v gillingham which got blamed totally on the players, but the manager is still responsible for results whatever team he chooses to put out. There is a big big problem here. Sunderland are a solid team but not the best we will encounter.

I have a horrible feeling Russel Martin is going to turn out to be a duff. Had doubts about him even when we scraped a few wins with last minute goals. Today was simply horrendous. Sunderland are not going to be the best team we play this season. 3 goals shipped v Gillingham, 4 v Norwich, 5 v sunderland. That is an indicator of serious problems. As a club, why do we keep buying into managers with "methodologies" which are so easily countered by the opposition?

The 3 previous managers all got the sack... just saying

Agreed. Reminds me of a funny story. I went to watch Sutton Utd v Saints in a preseason friendly just when we had bought Fonte. I remember saying to my mate Fonte will be an international footballer and this Sutton guy started laughing "No fucking way mate" etc. I did think of that guy when Jose went on to pick up a Euro champions medal 🙂

Interesting post, thanks. I would argue the 2011 squad had a few players in it of far greater (international) quality - Morgan, Lallana, Lambo, Fonte, but overall the squad we have now is quality and good enough to get automatic promotion

yes just like Tella 🙂

Agree we don’t have room for 4 CBs. Let’s get rid of Janny B

You would think he wouldn't. But then you would also think Tino wouldn't have passed one either

Speaking for myself only, I get bored of it and have moved on to the next rumour in half a day max 😀

Can’t imagine how many millions that team would be worth these days