austsaint

Perraud would be more than handy for the run in. For that matter, he's already demonstrated that he handles the LB role at Prem level quite well. Whose decision was it to farm him out on loan? I think we have a gem in Meghoma, but he won't be ready for first team Football (in August) if we go up. The Jack Clarke rumour sits well with me too. Just looks like a young player who will make the transition.

One of the Armstrong brothers, wasn't it?

Don't forget Chaplow's dome.

If Leeds win, the prospect of us finishing 3rd becomes more likely. That's a nightmare outcome in my book. Foxes please.

You're better than that, Tame.

One of the great crimes against Footballing commonsense.

Indeed. RM's faith in the Armstrong brother Stu is well justified. He might be prone to a knock or bump, and may cough up the ball now and again - but more often than not he runs, drives, assists and last night busts a gut to track back which both inspires others and lifts the team to a winning performance. Takes a decent corner and free kick too! The other reflection I have about last night after watching the replay.....when you're thinking about the players who have done well, helped the team, played a blinder; I found myself forgetting about KWP. It is so mainstream for him to deliver a sublime, classy, smooth-as-silk performance you almost rate it as routine!

That was an extraordinary miss by the referee. But what a brilliant away win. Two quality goals and apart from a few nervy moments leading up to and after half time, a well controlled performance - very satisfying to quieten the crowd and rain on the prospective new owner parade. Stephens to LB tightened the defence up well. THB and Bednarek once again gave polished performances, and the strength off the bench was a key factor in the win. The cameos of Aribo, Edozie and Brooks not only sealed the win but put pressure on the Baggies ability to counter attack. A memorable moment was the tracking back run from Stu Armstrong before half time to snuff out a cross inside the box. A brilliant response to the blip at Bristol.

Russell Martin is overseeing a magnificent season with Saints, and has an enormous amount of credits, no matter what happens from this point - not-with-standing his brief was/is to return us to the Prem. One of the things I like about his player management is the encouragement and support for players, even if they have a bad game or stuff up - especially important for the younger lads. Just the same, I've thought for a while that RM is greatly overrating Manning and Smallbone. Manning's repeat weaknesses defensively and positionally have been well discussed. The Daily Echo quoted Martin as saying that "WS did a great job" as the 6 against Bristol City! Really!. Admittedly he wasn't helped by young Charles' disappointing game in the first half, but his own game was awful. I think we've seen enough of him as a central or defensive mid to say he's not up to that role, especially when a player like Downes is missing. WS' role as a more attacking mid is certainly more impressive - he covers ground (though not athletic), gets into the box well and has good eye for a pass even though his instinct is often sideways or backwards. The question I ask...... is he any more effective in that more attacking role than players like Aribo, Brooks or Rothwell? Not quite good enough to be a first choice defensive midfielder and similarly as an attacking mid with the depth we have. The hybrid role he is often entrusted with seems a luxury against the stronger opposition. I'm quietly confident that if Wilcox and RM had a chance to bolster the squad right now, an experienced defensive mid-fielder would be high on the list.

Manning really is limited defensively and positionally. The dilemma Martin has is knowing that in 6-12 months time a player like Meghoma is likely going to be leaving Manning for dead, but at such a pointy stage of the season he can't afford to gamble with the inexperience of Meghoma. More likely he thinks about a fit Bree in there at LB as an alternative to Manning.

We could have done with a Schneiderlin, Cork, Wanyama or a Romeu tonight! As many feared, without Downes, our central midfield was hopelessly exposed tonight. Charles was poor, hasn't played a lot of Football and clearly isn't yet ready for a holding midfield responsibility. Yet Smallbone was equally as dire. The lack of a clinical striker and the complete reliance on a fit Downes to secure the midfield looms as a big threat to automatic promotion.

And so for that matter is Will Smallbone.

He has had a very good season, and if he falls short of the 28 or 29 goals he scored for Blackburn in the Championship a few seasons back we can probably point to the tame one-on-one lob attempt yesterday as one of the great chances squandered. Everything I've seen of AA this season just confirms what an outstanding Championship player he is, who, very likely falls short of the quality needed at Prem level, judged on his 50 or so Prem appearances so far. Still crucial to the Club's promotion prospects though.

Yes, the injury to Downes is the one dark cloud hanging over the place. I'm not sure Smallbone is the answer as a holding midfielder and the suspicion is that Charles might be, (with time) but isn't yet. Oriel Romeu style midfielders are hard to find! As you say, the continuing hope is the battery of attacking options available can keep us afloat.

That's the first thing you have to say about this crazy, magical game today. Huddersfield were excellent for all of the first half and a good portion of the second. Only WBA earlier this season have impressed me as much They pressed, ran at our defence and were well organised - how can they be so close to the relegation zone? We were totally eclipsed in midfield even before Downes went off and barely threatened their goal (first half) with Adams and AA virtual spectators. It didn't help that Stu A. was having an off day which left KWP and to a lesser degree Fraser to be the only attacking outlets. When the Rothwell worldie went in - reminded me of the Romeu volley a few years back - closely followed by the sublime Brook's assist for JR's brace, it looked like capitulation time, yet that didn't happen until much later in the game. Martin's subs were crucial to the turnaround. Rothwell of course as the enforced change. Brooks provided guile, width and combination with KWP that AA just doesn't have - he's much better suited to a more central, inside-right role. Brooks is much more than a winger, he has the attacking-mid, SA style of game in his locker. The pace and run of Edozie and Sulemana were immediate threats, and Mara's energy, strength and confidence all became too much for a (finally) deflated opposition. You can see Mara getting more game time now, his confidence levels are high. Rothwell's man-of-match well merited, but KWP played a mighty 113 minutes; almost a lone hand in the first half and was a big part of the turnaround.

Meghoma. How's he done tonight?

Always have. Even Uncle Les couldn't help us.

Is it time for the cup-tied rules to be reviewed? Say, in the next 10 or eleven hours? Seems a travesty that Brooks can't play!

Who play Rotherham at home next week! We host Huddersfield who dismantled Danny Rohl's SW today.

Thinking the same thing - Brooks is going to be a big asset for the run in.

Very comfortable for Saints - could have been 4 - and good things happening at Deepdale.

Team picked itself really. Should win - COYS.

Yes, well spotted. Spent 6 months there as Manager in 2021.

Bit of a Saints connection at Charlton in (relatively) recent times. Who can forget Les Reed's 6 week stint there as Manager in 2006 - sacked with the reputation as the "worst manager ever", only to be replaced by Alan Pardew.

Hard not to have tremendous respect for KWP, and an appreciation for his willingness to play a year in the Championship - seemingly not complain or agitate for a move, and maintain high levels of skill and influence which are a huge part of the Club's success this season. Best of all though, he comes across as a character with decent values and a grounded temperament and plays with a smile on his face. Watching the telecast towards the end of the Watford FA Cup tie, the camera switched to KWP on the bench. He was standing, applauding and encouraging the team as they pressed for a late winner, totally engaged and committed. He really is a modern day club legend in the making.