austsaint

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.

Shame to see him go, but understandable given his restricted game time and inability to nail down an attacking spot in the Martin set up. Hard to forget the many promising minutes he played in the Prem last season - probably more suited to the quick movement, counter-attacking style rather than the present set up. In some ways the outstanding form of S. Armstrong and the recent re-emergence of Aribo haven't helped his cause and RM obviously rates Rothwell even if he hasn't offered up much spark to date. I hope we haven't seen the last of Charly.

Maybe a 9.5 if no one leaves. With a cherry on top!

You make a lot of good points (especially about the settled team who know the system well) in what turned out to be a great Cup tie - particularly the last 30 minutes. The nine changes resulted in a disjointed, not-up-to-speed with the system first half. Clearly Rothwell is still finding his way; Holgate always looked a risk at RB and young Dibling ahead of him looked all at sea. Stephens has not (yet) established the smooth partnership with THB that Bednarek has. Noticeable in the first half that despite all the possession there were no runners and no width to put the Watford defence under pressure. Mara is not a winger, but improved when more central. Fraser, Stu and young SAA immediately solved the run and width problem. Alcaraz, out of sorts until the likes of Fraser and the two Armstrongs came on - he then came to life. What a cameo from S. Armstrong. Young Meghoma also looked more settled once the changes were made. A replay given what's at stake is probably an unwanted extra game, but based on most of the second half, I'm happy about the prospect.

Verlaine. Outside of his set against SD, he's quite a good poster.

Let's hope so.

More information please egg. What do you want to happen in the next week or so to raise your confidence levels that high?

I'm happy with second. Aren't you?

Tighter in our hands if Leicester win. Creates a bit of slack.

Sounds doable, doesn't it.

Leicester win, and technically, 2nd place (ie automatic promotion) is "in our hands". We don't need to drive every green and score eagles and birdies. Ok, the occasional birdie would be nice but a Leicester win means pars and squaring the Ipswich and Leeds cards will do. No day of glory Cup raising needed here - a solid runners up medal will do nicely.

Romeu made an art form out of it - record amount of yellows.....never sent off.

A bird in the hand worth more than a couple in the bush etc. Leicester please.