Lord Duckhunter

Fuck me, where have you been the last 30 years?

What a load of old pony. I don’t dislike the bloke, I don’t know him. I have always said he’s a bang average premier league player who was over rated on here. That still stands, the difference is we’re not playing in the Premier league. If he’s anywhere near the starting 11 if we’re promoted I wouldn’t put much on us staying up. It’s fucking obvious to everyone that a bang average premier league player is decent for the championship. Decent, but he’s still the 3rd best central midfielder at the club.

What’s the agenda then chump? Is preferring Downes & Jander an agenda now.

If everyone’s fit, and it’s a must win game, Jander & Downes start for me.

Calm down….. He’s not even the best central midfielder at the club, yet alone head and shoulders above the rest of the league.

Some common sense. It wasn’t some sort of conspiracy or anti Saints agenda. The same people moaning, would be praising the ref had they had a similar goal disallowed. It wasn’t like the Bolton one which was a blatant fuck up, no Var so the referee made a decision.

Entertaining game. Very even first half, was impressed with them during first 45, but after the break we totally outplayed them. Bragg probably my MoTM, but I thought Manning had a good game as well. Everyone was a 8ish, no poor performances really.

Still not protecting the ball enough for my liking. There was a spell towards the end of the first half when it bounced off him 2 or 3 times and it put us back under pressure. Yes, he looks ok when he’s got space to turn, if he’s going to play up top alone he needs to protect the ball better. Worked extremely hard and was the main trigger for a better second half pressing performance. But to suggest his performances are promotion level is hopeful in the extreme. He's gone from pony to promising, but I’d have Larin over him everyday of the week. He’s not putting pressure on Larin or Azaz, no way he starts in a must win game if everyone’s fit. He may end up as a genuine alternative, but he’s not there yet.

Nowhere near.

Depends which THB version we are talking about. The one post Jan window was exceptional, a bit better than this German. The one pre that was very poor. This guys been a solid 7 or 8 most weeks, THB had some stinkers.

Absolutely right. Same as OGS. Had they not played for Utd they wouldn’t have got anywhere near the job. Manchester United, and they’ve got a manager no supporters of other premier league clubs would want. Half the teams in the championship wouldn’t swap their manger for him, even the side he previously managed wouldn’t swap their incumbent for him (despite missing 3 opportunities for promotion). You end up with ex managers and pundits saying a manager needs time, and they do, but it needs to be the right manager that’s given it. If I was Wilcox, I’d be looking at Conte or Simeone as they need sorting out from top to bottom. But if you’re going down the young English route, Eddie Howe is head and shoulders above Carrick…

He is, he’s not exactly Souness is he. Let’s not kid ourselves here, we’re discussing his performances in the championship. There’s a reason he’s not playing in the top flight.

Downes & Jander are two of our top players, the fact both have been out and not missed is down to JWP. We’ve played to his strengths & he’s fitted into perfectly. When everyone is fit and we’re playing a 2, I’d prefer Downes & Jander but like the Stewart/Larin situation last year, wouldn’t be unhappy with a 2 from 3 pick depending on opponent & fixture congestion. We can easily keep all 3 fresh and on their toes, not many teams will have options like that.

Cool story, appreciate the insight…

I took a quick trip to South Africa and watched yesterdays game on that I follow thing, the commentary was Blackmore & Tessam. I’d say Tessam is slightly less annoying when you can see what he’s describing, but Blackmore is more of a cock. Gets players muddled up, wonders who has been penalised and why, when it’s fucking obvious. Yesterday banging on about a ball boy, “why’s he holding onto the ball when they’re losing”, when the pictures clearly show a substitution being made. Maybe Tessam gets to see the reply’s whereas Blackmore can’t as he’s watching the game, but he was pretty piss poor imo. I know he’s got a face for radio, but he’s also got commentary ability which is better when you can’t actually see what he’s describing…..