austsaint

I think there are a few more similarities. When Stones was the same age as THB he was impressing at Everton as a young, physical CB with technical skills and a good passing game. I see the same attributes in Harwood-Bellis. As to whether City would let him go. It all depends on whether we get promoted this season, in which case there would be every chance he would become a permanent player. If we don't go up, he's one of the first out the door.....he will surely be playing in the Prem in 24/25.

He's good alright. I'd rate him as good as, if not better than John Stones at the same stage of their careers. He (THB) is one of several reasons why promotion is so crucial this season - even if it is quite good winning a lot of games in the Championship.

Yes, they're lucky that Sheffield U., Luton and Burnley are keeping them company with support from Bournemouth. If this had happened last season it could have been different.

Just to jog your short term memory a tad. Stephens spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, (in the Prem) and did fairly well by most reports. By contrast Bednarek was loaned to Villa and barely played. Both are clearly very good CBs at Championship level. Both are probably mediocre defenders at Prem level......but in the second tier, neither are mediocre.

What happened to Barry Sanchez? Always seemed to want to start an argument and got a bit hot under his cyber collar if anyone challenged him. Think he might have been based in Merseyside.

Our Scottish Solskjaer.

Someone said last week (Derry I think), that Saints couldn't keep relying on hail mary, last gasp results, and I agree. Just the same, it does point up the strength of the squad and the fatigue element for oppositions forced to run and defend without the ball. Leicester and Ipswich have also relied on narrow wins and last minute draws this season highlighting the role of good fortune in a tight, grinding league like this.

Alongside Downes in our midfield, at the expense of Smallbone, would make the starting 11 better.

Seems half a lifetime ago that Bart played for Saints - for some supporters it probably is, literally, half a lifetime ago. Baz is of a different generation and I doubt he's aware of the Bialkowski connection to Saints. I'm wondering if BB has played against us since leaving - perhaps for Notts County in a Cup game? Always rated him a bit!

Interesting comments. I can't ever see Will getting close to the player Romeu was for us, and still is for a side like Barca. I don't see enough of Will sticking his foot in and while he may make himself available for a pass it's the lack of anything much happening afterwards that troubles me. His two goals have been well taken - part of the technical skill that he does have. Romeu was a player who offered so much more - but that's a different debate. I also can't see much similarity in the roles Downes and WS are playing. Downes is an interceptor, a tackler, and a robust presence in midfield - of late he's stamped himself as a Prem standard player. WS is a lightweight recycler who clocks up the yards but doesn't seem to influence the game significantly defensively or in attack - he looks a peripheral player to me who relies on others to take responsibility for the progressive pass or the direct run. If we need the second metronome for tempo and distribution I'm thinking Charles may be the better option, or Alcaraz if we are all out in attack - or maybe we need to recruit another midfielder.

Yet completely plausible.

But not Jonesball.

You've got a point there.

No, there's an element of truth in what he's saying. Not even close to parody. You're flirting close to dogma.

Yep, January looms as a risk of losing someone important. As you say, Downes and THB are here for the season. I have a feeling that KWP is such a decent, honourable individual he will stay put until the summer. Sulemana's fate is harder to predict. He will be in demand; probably depends on whether SR want to cash in should a good offer come in during January.......if not it will almost certainly happen in the Summer, depending upon promotion, offers etc

I think your fear is justified. There are probably four players in that 'too good to play for us for long" category. Downes, KWP, TBH and Sulemana. It makes finding a way to get promoted this season all the more important.

You have copped a bit of flak on this forum; some of it probably justified following your "lecturing" style towards critics of RM and his system, tactics, team selections etc. Today, many of those Martin critics (me included) can easily give him credit for picking just about the best side - employing a faster movement of the ball and using the subs bench well. He also gets praise for removing the suspicion that Manning was undroppable, and he's noticed that a player like Bree, judging by his last two appearances offers a better all round defender game. Your summary is good too - the only point of difference I have is questioning whether Will and Flynn deserve an equal billing for "what they do very well again". I might be too harsh on Smallbone but I'd rate Downes game as close to best on the ground as he controlled the midfield, intercepted and passed faultlessly. Smallbone on the other hand seems locked into a simple recycling role with lots of premeditated short passes; he often seems to be beaten (for pace) by fast, counter-attacking players and while his technical skills are good, he doesn't seem to be on the same wave length as attacking players like Stu, KWP, Sulemana, Alcaraz when he pushes forward. I hope that RM puts the microscope on WS' continued automatic selection in the side when a player like Stewart becomes available. Just as he's seen that there's an alternative to Manning's place in the team, it may be that the likes of Alcaraz and Charles offer more to our CM/AM roles than WS does. Either way, a strengthening of CM in January may be the missing part of a really strong starting 11, assuming Stewart is the answer to our striker deficiencies.

Bree did very well again today. He's quick, balanced, passes well and knows how to defend. Manning shouldn't be replacing him anytime soon. A little nervy after the Brum goal but for the most part, a slick display with quicker ball movement, good use of the longer ball and three clinically taken goals - should have been a brace for AA.

I wonder when Stewart is ready to play whether Martin will consider playing Alcaraz in Smallbone's spot.

Just gives the back four greater balance and there's a composure about his passing and movement. Manning has a good left foot but Bree more all round skills and athleticism. Playing S. Armstrong, Alcaraz, Sulemana has improved our attacking threat along with KWP's licence to get forward.

Yes, Charles didn't warrant a spot based on the Preston performance. Like you say though - competition for Smallbone is desperately needed - he's a luxury player we can't really afford.

Good call to keep Bree at LB instead of Manning. Would like to have seen Smallbone replaced but otherwise, just about the best 11 have been picked.

And without KWP, Sulemana and sporadic efforts from Stu and Alcaraz we lack runners and players with an eye for quickening the game and finding an attacking pass. A situation made worse by Martin's version of possession Football.

I was restricted to extended highlights on youtube without knowing the score. The youtube headline was "last gasp" which immediately conjured up a last minute equaliser or winner for Hull - so good to see the Downes cross be swept away first time by Fraser. The highlights revealed a well taken goal by Smallbone after great lead up by Sulemana and KWP. What was Smallbone's game like otherwise? An away win v Hull is not to be underestimated and more points in the week ahead will certainly settle nerves and give Martin breathing space. As someone else said, it would be nice to have a clear cut win soon against ok opposition. Well played to all supporters who navigated the weather and the transport hurdles to get to the ground - you deserved the joy of that late goal.

It was a stupid interview. I like Downes - based on his last two games you can see he’s an accomplished midfielder, not far off Prem level. Just the same, there were two mistakes he made in dressing down the fans…….Rotherham were/are the weakest opposition sighted for a long time. And the recent history of Saints is littered with poor management appointments; rubbish owners and boardrooms and lukewarm on-field performances dating back to the Puel era. Bit much for a recent arrival to rip in to the supporters while missing that context.